Why is BJP against providing benefits to people, asks Kejriwal

Says it is good that Goel declared party’s intent to end power subsidy before polls

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked the BJP on the issue of the Delhi government’s flagship power subsidy scheme during two volunteer meetings on Sunday.

Speaking to volunteers at the Shahdara and Patparganj districts, the Aam Aadmi Party national convener reacted sharply to BJP leader Vijay Goel who, during a recent interview, said that the BJP would end Delhi’s power subsidy if it comes to power.

“It is good that the BJP has declared its intent to end the power subsidy before the election. The leader who made this statement is himself a senior leader and Member of Parliament and received 4,000 units of free power per month, but has a problem when the public gets 200 units free,” Mr. Kejriwal alleged.

“The BJP leader never made any demand to withdraw the power subsidy given by the Centre to MPs but is now opposed to benefits being provided to the people. He continues to accept massive subsidies on food, even as the people suffer. But I want to thank him for saying this publicly before the election. Now the people can choose between the two conflicting models,” the Delhi Chief Minister said further.

Mr. Kejriwal also said that he could “feel the pain of [an economic] slowdown that a common man feels” when speaking in regard to the Delhi government’s welfare schemes.

“We know how difficult it is to manage household expenses in this time of slowdown. This is why we have made education, healthcare, power and water-free. But most importantly, the poor are now able to get free treatment in mohalla clinics and hospitals. BJP leaders go to America for their treatment, but Delhi’s people go to mohalla clinics,” he said.

He also spoke on mohalla clinics as well as not being allowed to visit Denmark to participate in the C40 Cities Summit in Copenhagen.

“On Saturday, I inaugurated 100 mohalla clinics. Nowhere in the world have so many primary health centres opened simultaneously…I was invited to speak at a summit of 98 big cities in the world in Denmark. I was asked to share our story of how we reduced pollution in Delhi by 25%. I wasn’t allowed to go, but still the world is talking about our work,” he said.

Poll issues

Earlier, during the day, Mr. Kejriwal had taken to Twitter to state that the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections would be contested on the basis of issues related to schools, hospitals and electricity which was a good sign for Indian democracy.

The Chief Minister further said that there was huge pro-incumbency in favour of AAP. “Delhi elections will take place on the issues of schools, hospitals, electricity, water, dengue, pollution, CCTV etc. Good signs for Indian democracy. Huge pro-incumbency in AAP’s favor [sic],” Mr. Kejriwal said in a tweet.

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