New Delhi: As the U.S. gears up for its presidential elections in November, election promises are pouring in from both major political parties, with one striking promise grabbing international attention. Republican candidate Donald Trump, during an election rally in Michigan, vowed to cut energy and electricity costs by half within 12 months if elected. His bold pledge has drawn comparisons to India’s trend of “freebies” during election seasons.
Trump’s remarks have gained traction in India after Delhi’s former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, shared a video of the speech. Kejriwal, known for championing free electricity and water schemes in Delhi, sarcastically commented on Twitter, “Trump has announced that he will halve the electricity rates. Free rewadi (freebies) will now reach America too!”
In Trump’s speech, the former president promised swift action on environmental approvals and doubling U.S. power capacity, aiming to bring down inflation and make America, especially states like Michigan, attractive for industrial growth. “Within 12 months of taking office, we will cut electricity bills, energy costs, and gasoline prices by 50%. This will make America the best place on Earth to build factories,” Trump declared.
Kejriwal’s reference to “rewadi culture” highlights the practice in Indian politics where political parties woo voters by promising free services like electricity, water, and transportation. For instance, Delhi offers 200 units of free electricity, and free bus services for women were introduced under Kejriwal’s leadership. Similar offers have been rolled out in other Indian states.
Trump’s energy promise has stirred conversations about how “freebies,” once seen as a hallmark of Indian elections, are being mirrored in the U.S. campaign. In his speech, Trump emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements, such as pipelines for oil transportation, which he claims are safer and more economical than rail systems. He also targeted inflation, stressing that halving energy costs would benefit everyday American families.
As the U.S. presidential race heats up, the focus on energy prices and economic relief seems to be a key part of Trump’s strategy to appeal to middle-class voters grappling with inflation. Meanwhile, the discussion in India about election freebies takes on a new dimension, with Kejriwal humorously pointing out the global spread of such campaign promises.
