UP elections 2022: Freebies and promises by political parties remain main attraction

The freebies are turning out to be the main attraction of the elections in Uttar Pradesh as almost all the political parties – from BJP to Samajwadi Party and from Congress to AAP – have promised freebies if they form the next government.

The freebies range from free 300 units of electricity to unemployment allowance and from pension to restoration of the state's highest civilian award Yash Bharati. For farmers, the promises are related to crop loan waiver, and for girls, it is free two-wheelers and smartphones.

The Samajwadi Party and the AAP are the two main parties that have promised free electricity of 300 units. The AAP claims that it has tried this formula in Delhi and has the “expertise” in this field. It also promised to waive off outstanding power bills. Akhilesh Yadav too has promised free 300 units of electricity to the people of Uttar Pradesh if it forms the next government.

This promise of free electricity has made the maximum impact because over 2.4 crore power consumers are in the urban areas and an increase in power bills is the biggest issue among them. There are reports that after elections, the Uttar Pradesh Power Regulatory Commission would recommend an increase in power tariff.

In the backdrop of this, a promise of free electricity has caught the imagination of the masses.

“This is possible. Look at Delhi. People are getting free electricity and if they can get free electricity there why not in UP,” asks Manish Manocha, a trader in Bhootnath Market, Lucknow.

However, this promise has a flip side too. As per a rough estimate if any government gives free 300 units of electricity it would cost Rs 21,000 crore to the state exchequer annually.

Among the other promises, AAP has announced an unemployed allowance of Rs 5000 while the Samajwadi Party government has promised restoration of Yash Bharati award, Samajwadi Pension scheme of Rs 1500 per month, and Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia to the kin of each of the farmers, who died during recent farm stir.

Among the fairer sex, the promises of the Congress party have made the maximum impact. The party has promised to give smartphones and electric two-wheelers to girls if the grand old party forms the next UP government. The party has also promised an increase in pension for the widows and senior citizens and an increase in honorarium for ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and Anganwadi workers.

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has promised to double the ex gratia payment under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 if it forms the next government.

RLD has forged a pre-poll alliance with the SP and the two parties are hoping to gain traction especially in the Western UP region.

Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to come out with any such announcement. Probably, they are waiting for Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) and till then it is keeping its cards close to its chest.