Says had there been alliance with AAP, we could have won all seats in Delhi
Traders and Government employees are the worst victims of the Government's apathy. Sealing and anomalies in implementation of the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations have hit people to a large extent. “These are the main issues in the New Delhi Constituency”, said Ajay Maken, former Union Minister and the Congress candidate from the seat. He said the party will stop sealing in a month after being voted to power.
In an interview to The Pioneer, Maken said implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation have further ruined the economy. He also accused the BJP of hiding its failures in creating employment and boosting economic activity by raking up non issues.
Asking about the issues of the Government employees, Maken said the BJP did not do justice for them and it is known for its "anti-Government employees" stand. He said the 5th Pay commission had expressly recommended that when Dearness Allowance (DA) becomes more than 50 per cent of the basic pay, it will be merged with the basic pay, adding that the DA became 52 per cent of the basic pay on 1st July 2002 but the same was merged only on 1st April 2004. This callous attitude towards Government employees led to them bearing financial losses for two years.
The Narendra Modi Government reduced the interest rate for General Provident Fund (GPF) and it adversely affected the financial condition of Government employees. The casual leave (CL) has been reduced from 12 to 8; direct recruitment by NDA led Central Government were reduced by 1/3rd . Employment on compassionate grounds reduced drastically.
"My direct allegation is against the sitting MP Mennakshi Lekhi and other BJP leaders who did nothing to remove discrepancy in 7th pay commission that mostly affected traders. I sat on protests against our own Government over the issue. Being the New Delhi MP, she should have raised the issue related to the constituency but she miserably failed in discharging her duties. "If Congress is voted to power, it will become the voice of the Government employees and will also fill the 22 lakh vacant posts and regularise the jobs of the contractual workers," he said.
Maken also refuted claims that the votes will be divided between AAP and Congress after talks for alliance in Delhi failed. "It is not going to harm us but yes, if it (alliance) had happened, we could have won all the seats in Delhi," he said.
"Do you think that the AAP only cut Congress votes in 2015 Assembly election? They won 67 seats out of 70 in Delhi. They did not only cut Congress votes but also of BJP," he said. Even Congress never won 67 seats. Then, how can AAP win 67 seats after penetrating only into congress bastion, he asked?
On differences with Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit over alliance with AAP, he said it was a big issue and differences of opinion are natural in party. It has no relevance to this election, he said.
When asked who the strong contestant is, Maken said that this is a national election and it is a fight only between the Congress and the BJP.
On parking issue, he said that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had prepared a Master Plan for Delhi in 2007, in which provision was made for the mixed land use of many roads for commercial purposes. A provision was made for stilt parking but the ruling Government failed to address the issue, he added.
"I represented this constituency both in 2014 and 2009 and I am aware of the issues. We will ensure justice to the trades affected by sealing drive and the Government employees who should get their dues", Maken said.