Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday that if his party wins the February 5 Assembly election, creating jobs will be on the top of his agenda.
“Many of our children are sitting unemployed at home. They have no jobs even after completing their education. My priority for the next five years will be creating employment and ensuring that our children get jobs,” said Mr. Kejriwal at a rally in east Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar.
The former CM addressed three rallies in the evening, all in north-east Delhi: Gandhi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar, and Krishna Nagar.
Two of these seats — Vishwas Nagar and Gandhi Nagar — are held by the BJP. Delhi’s main Opposition party has again fielded two-time MLA Om Prakash Sharma from Vishwas Nagar and replaced the incumbent Gandhi Nagar legislator, Anil Kumar Bajpai, with former Delhi Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.
Addressing a rally in Vishwas Nagar, Mr. Kejriwal said, “Some of you made a mistake and voted for the BJP. But your legislator did nothing over the past five years except stall development works.” He added that the eight seats that the BJP won in 2020 have fewer Mohalla Clinics because “their MLAs did not want poor people to access free and quality healthcare”.
AAP supporters holding cut-outs of the party chief during his address in Delhi on Monday. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The AAP chief said that if the BJP wins the poll, it will not only roll back many of the Delhi government’s subsidies but also undo the development works done over the past 10 years.
“If, by mistake, you press the wrong button this time, Delhi will experience 10-hour-long power cuts similar to what people experience in other BJP-ruled States. Under AAP, most people in Delhi get free electricity,” he said.
Mr. Kejriwal said while the Delhi government has provided city residents with several services, including free electricity and water, Mohalla Clinics, and free bus rides for women, the BJP had so far shared “no vision” for what they wanted to offer to the public.
Law and order
“The BJP has control over half of the government in Delhi. Look what they have done to the law and order situation. There is an increase in gang wars, extortion threats to traders, and threats to women. They have no development to show. We are, instead, asking for votes based on the work we’ve done,” he said.
The former CM warned slum dwellers not to get swayed by the promises made by BJP leaders, alleging that upon winning the Assembly poll, they will “demolish the slums and hand over your land to the big businessmen”.
“Don’t fall for their tricks. These days, they’re mingling with jhuggi dwellers. But after the election, they’ll bring demolish your houses,” Mr. Kejriwal said. “Press jhaadu [AAP symbol on the EVM] for free education, health care, water, electricity, and free bus travel for women. If you press any other button, all these things will stop,” he added.
Published - January 21, 2025 01:21 am IST
