In what can be seen as political instigation for vested interests, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today 'urged' slum dwellers to protest against the BJP-led government’s ongoing demolition drives in national capital . Kejriwal also lambasted political rivals and called on 'jhugi' residents to reject both the BJP and Congress in future elections.
Kejriwal slammed the rival poltical parties and even labelled BJP and Congress as 'brother and sister', apparently in a bid to project them as anti slum dwellers. While addressing protest organised by the AAP at Jantar Mantar against slum demolitions, Kejriwal said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makan', but what he meant was 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maidan'. His promises are false and I urge you not to fall for them in future." The AAP national convener alleged that the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government had "ruined" the city in the past five months.
"We had left a perfectly fine Delhi. But these people have ruined it. There are long power cuts, school fees have been hiked, and their ministers and MLAs are busy looting Delhi," he charged.Calling on slum dwellers to unite, he said, "There are 40 lakh slum dwellers. If you take to the roads, they will be forced to stop the demolitions." He said, "The Anna movement started from Jantar Mantar and removed the Congress from power. From here, a new movement will begin, and the BJP’s hold on power will also be shaken." Urging people not to vote for either Congress and the BJP in future, he said the two parties are like "brother and sister".
"When Congress was in power, there were power cuts and school fees were arbitrarily hiked. For 10 years, we did not let that happen. But after the BJP came to power, the same things are happening again," he added.Kejriwal also accused the BJP of targeting AAP leaders by lodging FIRs against them."They have lodged FIRs against Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Stop this game of FIRs and work for the people," he said.
Sisodia and Jain are facing an anti-corruption branch (ACB) probe in connection with alleged irregularities in the construction of classrooms. Last week, the ACB registered an FIR against Bharadwaj and Jain for alleged corruption related to delays in hospital construction projects.
Aam Aadmi Party has been protesting against such demolitions even when they were in power as DDA, PWD and other civic bodies have been demolishing illegal structures from many areas of the national capital, including some posh localities. WHile it is about protecting what is being seen as the vote bank in raising voice against demolitions, AAP is targetting BJP contending the party is making poor homeless.
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