Will Mohalla Clinics Be Shut if BJP Wins? A Fact Check

This story was originally published by The Quint, and republished by The Probe as part of the Shakti Collective.

Mohalla Clinics Under Threat? Fact Check

Amid the ongoing Delhi elections, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal claimed at a public meeting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its manifesto, said that it would about closing down mohalla clinics — the community healthcare services provided by the incumbent AAP.

On 20 January, Kejriwal addressed a rally at Vishwas Nagar and said, "Just three days ago, the BJP people have released their manifesto. It was written in that manifesto that mohalla clinics will be closed."

This public meeting was live-streamed on AAP's official YouTube channel. At 11:27 minutes of the video, Kejriwal can be heard saying this.

What We Found

At first, we checked the BJP's manifesto on the party's official website.

• In this manifesto, the party has made several election promises related to many public welfare schemes including health.

• However, nowhere does it state that the mohalla clinics run by the AAP government will be closed.

• Additionally, it notes, "If the BJP government is formed in Delhi, the existing welfare schemes will continue and these schemes will be made more effective and corruption-free." (translated from Hindi to English)

• BJP candidate from New Delhi seat and former Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha Parvesh Verma in this interview to news agency ANI refuted the claims of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal that mohalla clinics will be shut down if BJP forms the government.

We have contacted the AAP for clarification on the claim made by Kejriwal regarding BJP's manifesto. This report will be updated when their response is received.

Conclusion

Kejriwal falsely claimed that the BJP would shut down the mohalla clinics in Delhi if voted to power.

This Fact Check story was originally published by The Quint, as part of the Shakti Collective. Except for the headline/excerpt/opening introduction para this story has not been edited by The Probe staff.