The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government announced on August 1 that residents would receive 200 units of “lifeline electricity” free, with a 50 percent subsidy for those using between 201 and 400 units. The decision came less than eight months before the national capital votes, renewing questions about how much such pre-election offers sway voters.

A familiar pattern

Parties routinely try to reach different groups of voters with promises before an election is called and the model code of conduct takes effect. Free electricity and water were among the main promises the AAP made before it formed the government in Delhi in 2015. The present assembly’s term runs until February.

Ahead of the general election, both the BJP and the Congress made offers aimed at farmers and poorer households. In February, a month before the poll schedule was announced, the BJP-led government at the Centre launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The scheme offered Rs 6000 in income support to small and marginal farmers. That scheme became a major campaign issue. The Congress announced a minimum income guarantee scheme around the same time, but it did not have the same impact on the ground.

An analyst’s view

New Delhi-based political analyst Subrata Mukherjee said such announcements do make a difference, since elections often turn on a swing of 2-3 percent of votes. Every party has a core support base, he said, but there is also a large pool of floating voters, and in a highly unequal society these offers can mean a lot to people with limited means.

“These announcements are done in a planned manner by all the political parties. The AAP is no exception,” he said, adding that the party’s focus on water, healthcare and education would add to its record.

What happened next

In the 2020 Delhi assembly election, the Aam Aadmi Party won 62 seats and the BJP 8, and Arvind Kejriwal was Chief Minister after the election.

See also: upcoming elections

Originally published on 3 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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