In the heart of New Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, the convener of AAP and Chief Minister of Delhi, took a satirical jab at the BJP on Tuesday, countering their bold assertion of securing 370 seats in the imminent Lok Sabha elections.
Dismissing their claims as baseless, Kejriwal remarked, “Their rhetoric lacks substance. Crossing the threshold of 270 seats is already a formidable challenge, let alone reaching 370.” He attributed this skepticism to concerns about escalating prices, unemployment, and soaring petrol costs.
Expressing discontent with the delayed actions of the Congress, a vital INDIA bloc partner, Kejriwal opined that more favorable outcomes could have been achieved with timely initiatives. While speaking at a summit hosted by the TV9 Network, Kejriwal did find solace in the seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress.
The AAP and Congress recently forged an alliance in Delhi, with the former securing four out of seven Lok Sabha seats in the city. Similar collaborations between the two parties are also unfolding in Gujarat and Haryana.
Criticizing the pace of progress, Kejriwal stated, “There has been some movement, but my contentment is not complete. Numerous actions should have transpired earlier than they did. Faster engagement could have yielded even more favorable results.”
When questioned about accountability, Kejriwal asserted, “As the leader of the INDIA bloc, the Congress should have taken the lead. Unfortunately, there were several deficiencies in that regard.” Responding to accusations of embracing “soft Hindutva,” Kejriwal defended his visit to the Ram Mandir, declaring it a matter of faith undertaken with his family.
“While faith is universal, seeking votes in the name of Lord Ram is inappropriate. My visit to the Ram Mandir was personal, devoid of any grand proclamation. Public displays of devotion are not proper,” he emphasized.
Addressing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons related to the excise policy-linked money-laundering case, Kejriwal announced his intention to challenge the “illegality” of the agency’s notices in court.
“I will adhere to legal correctness. The ED initiated a case against me in court, and they must await the court’s verdict. The continual issuance of summons has turned into a theatrical display,” he remarked.
Accusing the BJP-led central government of exploiting the ED to intimidate opposition parties, disrupt their unity, and topple governments, Kejriwal, who claims not to be a traditional politician, emphasized the accomplishments of the AAP government in Delhi in education, healthcare, and electricity supply.
Asserting that the entire population of 140 crore people could be provided free education and healthcare, along with a monthly supply of 200 units of electricity at no cost, Kejriwal proposed an expenditure of Rs 11.5 lakh crore to achieve this ambitious vision.