leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday tore into the claims and promises of Aam Aadmi Party and its leader Arvind Kejriwal.
During the discussion on vote of confidence in the House, Vardhan said the foundation of the AAP Government was based on ‘lies’ and all populist decisions taken by the Government, which includes subsidised water and power, was an attempt to mislead the people.
Opposing the motion, Harsh Vardhan attacked Kejriwal and his party for taking Congress support to form the government. “A party which Kejriwal used to refer as the most corrupt party, the party against which he contested elections, the party against which he said that if elected to power he will send corrupt ministers to jail, and will unearth all unfair trades of that Government, has taken support of that party. Today the country wants to know what was his compulsion to form a coalition with the same party,” said Vardhan. Attacking AAP’s decisions on water and electricity soon after coming to power, Vardhan said the urgency shown by AAP in implementing populist measures is not reflected in taking on the corrupt. “The Government must explain when it will initiate inquiry into the corruption charges of Congress Ministers. Also, will the AAP government probe into the source of foreign funding to the NGOs run by its leaders,” Vardhan questioned.
He criticised the AAP for conducting referendum for forming the Government saying 70 per cent of Delhi’s population had already given their mandate but the AAP insulted the public mandate by relying on the SMS and response from a handful of his supporters through ‘self-sponsored’ public meetings. The five-time MlA, who was BJP’s CM candidate, attacked Kejriwal for misleading people over issues like Jan lokpal Bill, Assembly Session at Ramlila Maidan and also his self-claim of refusing Government accommodation and security cover. “The police have been providing security to you (Kejriwal) and also two flats have been reserved for you at Tilak Marg in New Delhi even before securing vote of confidence in the House,” he said.
Vardhan also made little of Kejriwal for his much publicised travel in Delhi Metro saying it only created trouble for passengers and there was nothing great in such ‘stunts’. He criticised the AAP leaders for terming the Batla House encounter as fake and seeking referendum on Kashmir issue amid slogans of ‘shame-shame’ from the Opposition benches.