West Bengal Minister and TMC Leader Shashi Panja on Saturday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of adopting the very 'Revdi' culture they once criticised. The comments came in response to the BJP's electoral promises in poll-bound states. During an interaction with news agency ANI, the minister stated, "BJP used to say social upliftment policies are 'Revdi' and intended towards votes. Now BJP itself is announcing 'Revdi'."
"When they belittle people and ignore their situation, it's not right. If you improve the economic conditions of the country, then you will not need to launch such schemes, but at least don't call them 'Revdi' till then. Now a competition has also begun on 'Revdi' (distributing freebies). Now people will share their perspective."
This remark is in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier caution against the "revdi culture" as he hit out at the trend of seeking votes through promises of freebies, which he deemed "very dangerous" for the country's development.
In Telangana, the BJP's manifesto includes promises such as four free LPG cylinders per year for Ujwala beneficiaries, financial support for farmers, free laptops for college girl students, and a fixed deposit of Rs 2 lakh for each girl child at birth. Similar promises are found in the Madhya Pradesh manifesto, where free education for girls up to post-graduation, wheat procurement at Rs 2,700, and paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal are highlighted. BJP's Chhattisgarh manifesto pledges Rs 12,000 per month to every married woman and affordable gas connections at Rs 500.
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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on 'Revdi' Jibe
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a rally in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur, defended his distribution of what was labelled as "revdis" or freebies in Delhi, listing achievements in electricity, education, healthcare, free bus journeys for women, free pilgrimages for senior citizens, and employment opportunities for the unemployed.
"They (Bharatiya Janata Party) say that I distributed free 'Revdis', yes I did. I distributed six free revdis to the people of Delhi. first, I gave them free electricity. Second, I provided them with the best education services. From a judge's kid to that of a ricksha-walla, everyone studies in the same school, on the same desk. Third, I procured Delhi the best medical services. God forgives if you have cancer, all your tests and medicines will be free. Also, I made bus journeys, whether private or public, free for women. The fifth revdi is the one that I gave to the senior citizens of each house. Free pilgrimage is provided to them. They are taken to Ayodhya, Kedarnath, and Shirdi. Sixth, employment opportunities were given to 12 lakh unemployed youths." CM Kejriwal remarked in July, as quoted by ANI.
"Also, in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann provided employment to 30,000 unemployed youths. Arrangements are being made to provide the same to 3 lacks more. Do you not want these Revdis?" he asked the gathering.
As the electoral fate of parties in Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana hangs in the balance, the counting of votes tomorrow will reveal the verdict of the electorate.