The Centre has punished the Delhi government for supporting the farmers' stir by handing power into the Lieutenant Governor's hands in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor said on Sunday while addressing a farmers’ mahapanchayat in Haryana's Jind district.
The remark came amid the ongoing protests against the Centre's three new farm laws. “I am punished for backing and supporting the farmers because the BJP has brought a new bill that takes all the powers of an elected chief minister and gives it to L-G,” he said.
Addressing the farmers, he said that he is ready to give up anything he must to make the farmers' protest successful because he is a true patriot.
"When the central government passed these three black laws, farmers from all parts of the country were in deep grief. However, all of them were thinking as to who would lead the way and struggle for their cause. It was at that time that farmers of Punjab and Haryana stepped forward and lead the way," he added.
Thanking farmers Kejriwal said, "It was the farmers of Punjab and Haryana who provided the leadership in fighting for the cause of the farmers against the three black laws. The entire country is with you. Whether the media portrays it or not, you must not worry."
The AAP convenor also said “Farmers from Gujarat may be unable to reach the Delhi border, a farmer from Tamil Nadu may be unable to reach the Delhi border and a farmer from Assam may be unable to reach the Delhi border. This does not mean that he is not with you. Every morning each farmer of this country prays for those sitting at the Delhi borders that this struggle must be successful.”
“The Delhi Government arranged for food, water, and washrooms. At one instance, some farmers came up to me and said that they were unable to contact their families due to the low signal after which the Delhi Government provided for free Wi-Fi at the Delhi border,” he said.
After farmers’ leader Rakesh Tikait informed us that Yogi Government cut off their electricity, water and toilets, we provided generators for electricity, water and toilets within an hour. I am glad that even after four months, the farmer’s protest is still going on. The opposition was not able to do anything about it and this is the reason why it is so upset with me and now, it has introduced a new bill in Parliament to punish me. We have incurred a huge loss for supporting the farmer’s protest. We are punished for backing and supporting the farmers," Kejriwal added.
The Delhi chief minister further said that his government in the national capital carried out various development works be it setting up schools and hospitals, free water, etc in the last six years and alleged that the BJP was putting stumbling blocks to disrupt the works that were being done for the Delhi people.
Kejriwal claimed the BJP, despite being the most powerful party in the country, has failed to deliver in the areas of education and health, while his government has made significant progress. “I want to tell the BJP that for building
schools and colleges and serving people, there is no need for power. There is a need for intent. You have so many powers but your intention is wrong," he said.