‘Ayushman Bharat is a failure’: Kejriwal criticizes PM Modi over Ayushman Bharat, calls for Delhi’s free healthcare model across the country

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, on Tuesday responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of Delhi’s stance on the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, accusing Modi of politicizing public health in the capital.

Kejriwal’s denial came after Modi publicly accused the Delhi and West Bengal governments of abandoning the Ayushman Bharat scheme, suggesting their decisions were driven by “political interests” rather than public welfare. Modi also expressed disappointment over the lack of affordable healthcare for senior citizens in these regions, calling it a “missed opportunity” to serve senior citizens in need.

Addressing a public meeting at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi, Modi apologized to senior citizens in Delhi and West Bengal, saying: “I hear your pain, but due to decisions of state governments, I cannot help you.”

In response, Kejriwal issued a lengthy statement on X (formerly Twitter) calling on Modi to examine Delhi’s own healthcare model, which offers universal free treatment. Kejriwal claims that under Delhi’s scheme, residents get fully funded medical care – be it medicines costing ₹5 crore or a procedure costing ₹1 crore. “Prime Minister G, politicization of public health is inappropriate,” he wrote, stressing that Modi should consider adopting the Delhi model for wider national benefit.

Kejriwal also criticized the effectiveness of Ayushman Bharat, saying he is yet to meet any beneficiary of the scheme. He pointed to reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that cited irregularities in Ayushman Bharat and questioned its true reach and effectiveness. Kejriwal even offered to send Modi a list of the “millions” of beneficiaries of Delhi’s health initiatives as proof of their success.

“Has Ayushman Bharat Yojana benefited people? The CAG found many irregularities in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. In the states where Ayushman Bharat Yojana is implemented, I have not yet met a single person who has received treatment under Ayushman Bharat. I request you to study the Delhi Model and instead of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, implement the Delhi Model across India so that people can benefit locally,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Supporting Kejriwal, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj called the Ayushman Bharat initiative a “failure”, noting that many patients from states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, where the scheme operates, often travel to Delhi for treatment. “Delhi’s government hospitals provide free, comprehensive care – as opposed to the limited fee-for-service treatment available in BJP-led states,” Bharadwaj said, suggesting that the Delhi model serves the population more effectively.

Adding to the criticism, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh dismissed Ayushman Bharat as impractical, pointing out that the scheme excludes people with modest assets or incomes exceeding ₹10,000. He argued that restrictions on benefits are making it difficult for many needy people to access benefits under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

As the debate intensifies, AAP leaders are positioning Delhi’s healthcare model as a viable alternative to Ayushman Bharat, arguing that it better serves the public without the restrictions and perceived violations of the national scheme.