Delhi polls: Congress likely to play populist card

NEW DELHI: Seeking a comeback in Delhi, the Congress party will play the populist card and promise cheap bijlipaani as it woos voters for the February 7 elections in the capital.

According to sources, the party is set to make these promises in its election manifesto after concluding that high electricity tariffs and water charges led to the Congress’ defeat in 2013. The inconclusive poll ended the 15-year rule of the Congress in Delhi and resulted in the AAP coming to power, although it resigned soon.

“These issues were used by parties like AAP, which promised free electricity and water. We could make amends in the new manifesto,” said a senior Congress leader involved in preparing the manifesto. The party may offer to slash power tariffs to Rs 1.50 from Rs 4 for the first 200 units and halve the rates for higher consumption levels. The manifesto committee is also working on social welfare measures such as pension.