Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Jan. In a powerful and impassioned video message on Wednesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal shifted the spotlight to Bharat’s middle class, accusing the central government of neglecting their needs while catering to “notebanks” of industrialists and “votebanks” built on caste and religion. Labeling the middle class as “the ATM of the government,” Kejriwal outlined seven demands for the upcoming budget session of Parliament, asserting that the middle class has become a victim of “tax terrorism.”
The Delhi CM-turned-national leader not only voiced concerns over the financial struggles of this crucial demographic but also painted his party, AAP, as the lone defender of middle-class interests. With the budget session approaching, Kejriwal’s demands are aimed at resonating with an economically burdened class that has often been overshadowed in political discourse.
A Forgotten Demographic
Kejriwal’s remarks reflect a growing frustration among Bharat’s middle class, which has long felt alienated from policies aimed either at uplifting the economically weaker sections or at appeasing powerful industrialists. According to him, the middle class, squeezed by heavy taxation and rising inflation, has been reduced to an invisible demographic in the eyes of policymakers.
Highlighting the exodus of over 2.16 lakh people leaving Bharat in 2023 alone, Kejriwal argued that the middle class is bearing the brunt of stagnant wages, high costs of living, and a lack of meaningful support. He emphasized that while AAP has addressed these issues at the state level by reducing electricity and water bills and increasing education budgets, systemic change at the national level is overdue.
Kejriwal’s Seven-Point Demand
In a calculated move to dominate middle-class discourse in the upcoming budget session, Kejriwal presented a seven-point charter of demands to the central government:
- Increase Education Budget: Raising the national education budget from the current 2% to 10% of GDP, while regulating private school fees and offering subsidies and scholarships for higher education.
- Boost Health Spending: Increasing the health budget to 10% of GDP and abolishing taxes on health insurance premiums.
- Raise Income Tax Exemption Limits: Increasing the exemption threshold from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh to ease the financial burden on middle-class taxpayers.
- Abolish GST on Essential Commodities: Eliminating GST on daily necessities to reduce the cost of living.
- Restore Railway Concessions: Reintroducing the 50% discount on railway tickets for senior citizens, which was discontinued during the pandemic.
- Retirement and Pension Schemes: Establishing robust pension plans and retirement benefits for senior citizens.
- Free Healthcare for Seniors: Providing free, quality healthcare for senior citizens in both government and private hospitals.
A Strategic Move Amid Budget Politics
Kejriwal’s demands are as much about policy as they are about positioning. By dedicating an entire charter to the middle class, he aims to fill a political void and claim a space that no other national party has actively pursued. This aligns with AAP’s broader strategy to expand its influence beyond Delhi and Punjab and emerge as a pan-Bharat player by addressing issues that resonate with a cross-section of society.
His call for a budget “dedicated to the middle class” not only contrasts sharply with traditional vote-bank politics but also challenges other parties to respond to a demographic often seen as a passive participant in electoral outcomes.
Challenges to Kejriwal’s Agenda
While Kejriwal’s rhetoric is compelling, the feasibility of his demands raises questions. Increasing education and health budgets to 10% of GDP would require a massive restructuring of fiscal priorities, potentially at the expense of other welfare schemes. Similarly, abolishing GST on essential goods and raising tax exemption limits may strain government revenues, especially in a post-pandemic economy grappling with recovery.
Moreover, critics argue that Kejriwal’s messaging oversimplifies complex economic challenges. Accusations of populism have been leveled against him, with detractors questioning whether his policies are financially sustainable or merely aimed at gaining political mileage.
The Middle Class as a Political Battleground
Kejriwal’s focus on the middle class is both timely and strategic. This demographic, often referred to as the backbone of the Bharatiya economy, has long been underserved in policy discussions. While welfare schemes have lifted millions out of poverty, and economic liberalization has benefited the wealthy, the middle class has increasingly found itself stuck between stagnating wages and rising costs.
Kejriwal’s narrative of “tax terrorism” and economic neglect taps into this frustration. His demands, though ambitious, resonate with the middle class’s yearning for recognition and relief. However, whether AAP can translate this rhetoric into actionable policy remains to be seen.
Conclusion: A Bold Political Gamble
Arvind Kejriwal’s push to make the middle class the focal point of the upcoming budget session marks a bold shift in Bharat’s political narrative. By highlighting the struggles of this demographic, he has positioned AAP as a party willing to challenge the status quo and advocate for systemic reforms.
While his demands may face resistance both politically and financially, they have successfully drawn attention to the plight of a long-neglected group. Whether this move will translate into electoral gains for AAP or force other parties to rethink their approach to the middle class will depend on how the narrative unfolds in the coming weeks.
In an era of polarized politics, Kejriwal’s pitch for the middle class underscores the need for inclusive governance that addresses the concerns of all sections of society. Whether genuine or a political gambit, his advocacy has reignited a critical conversation about the role and recognition of the middle class in shaping Bharat’s future.
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