Delhi elections 2015: Confident of running Delhi govt for next 5 years : Kejriwal
NEW DELHI: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is confident that the voters of Delhi will give a clear verdict in this elections.
Kejriwal, who answered a range of questions from readers on TOI Hangout, said that his party has a 7-point action plan for Delhi once they are voted to power.
In an hour-long session, AAP chief responded to questions on several issues, and expressed confidence that AAP will be able to run government in Delhi for the next five years.Kejriwal dubbed his aide-turned-political rival, Kiran Bedi, the challenger in these elections, and said she should be the one to fight from his constituency.
Responding to a question on why he is not taking on Kiran Bedi, the AAP chief said, “In last elections, Sheila Dikshit was the CM and I had come from outside and so I was the challenger. This time, Kiran Bedi has come from outside so she is the challenger and should come and fight against me.”
“People of New Delhi constituency have showered a lot of love on me and I am not going to leave them,” he added.
On a reader’s query as to what plans he had for Delhi, Kejriwal elaborated the seven points:
1. We will end corruption in Delhi, only AAP has the medicine for this.
2. We will reduce prices of essential commodities
3. We will ensure cheap electricity
4. We will provide water supply to every household
5. we will work for quality education in govt schools and open 20 new colleges in Delhi
6. We will provide cheap and efficient health services
7. We will ensure women’s safety, which is our top priority. And put Delhi under surveillance by fitting CCTV cameras all across.
To a reader’s query about only six AAP tickets for women, Kejriwal agreed that the number was too less, but assured that the party is working toward esnuring greater political participation of women.
Upon being asked about bringing all the political parties within the purview of the RTI, Kejriwal answered by saying that we are the only party to have transparent funding.
“Everything is there on our party website. Congress and BJP hide their donations, but media does not ask them,” Kejriwal added.
On tranport system, Kejriwal promised to integrate all available resources to provide an smoother and efficient ride for each Delhiite.
One of the questions dealt with the high attrition rate within AAP.
On this, Arvind blamed the media for always targeting the party. He added, “it’s not just within AAP where people have left the party, this has happened with Congress and BJP as well, but media never creates a hype about it.”
When questioned about the reported allegations regarding sale and purchase of assembly tickets, Kejriwal said, “I have made it clear that any AAP candidate caught dealing in money will be removed from party. I have asked volunteers to keep a strict eye on candidates.”
During the course of the discussion, Arvind Kejriwal also talked about his plans to make Delhi the No.1 educational hub. He said that his government will open 20 new colleges and make outer Delhi a hub for education. “Villagers are ready to give their land, we just need an action plan,” Kejriwal said.
Talking about the Delhi government’s control over Delhi Police, the AAP chief expressed his confidence over the BJP government that it will give Delhi full statehood as PM Modi has promised.
The session started with a reader questioning the AAP chief on his alleged inaction against former CM Sheila Dikshit.
Kejriwal strongly denied the charges and said that his government had filed an FIR against Sheila Dikshit but was voted out of power soon after.
He said this question should be asked to BJP as to why they did not act further on those FIRs over the last seven months.
Delhiites frequently face severe shortage of water, especially during summers. In light of this, Kejriwal assured that effective plans would be made to conserve water so that there is no water scarcity, if they are voted to power.
The readers also questioned Kejriwal about AAP’s energy policy. To this, Kejriwal responded by saying that Delhi has surplus power, but there is no control over companies that are producing and distributing electricity.
He said AAP plans to exploit solar energy on a large scale.
