As the Aam Aadmi Party marked its 50 days in Government in Delhi by re-launching an anti-corruption helpline on Sunday, Congress’ Ajay Maken took a dig at the Arvind Kejriwal-led party by claiming AAP has become a party of VIP and VVIPs. The AAP, which re-launched the 1031 anti-graft helpline from the Talkatora Stadium in Central Delhi, had put up hoardings of VIP and VVIP parking at many gates of the venue.
“Just passed through the Talkatora Stadium — look at the pictures — how in just 50 days, AAP became a party of VIP&VVIPIJ (sic),” Maken tweeted along with a picture depicting the exclusive entry for ‘VVIPs’. The stadium was full to its capacity of 3,000 people, with hundreds waiting outside. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, along with AAP’s 67 MlAs and different Heads of Departments and Secretaries in the Delhi Government, used the VVIP parking. For the other people present at the venue, parking was accessible through different gates.
Justifying the VVIP and VIP hoardings, AAP leader Adarsh Shastri said the VIP parking was for efficient governance. “We do not endorse VIP culture but certain things are required for the smooth and efficient working of the Government,” said Shastri, who is a legislator from Dwarka.
Another leader Dilip Pandey said, “There was no difference between VVIPs and common people during AAP function. There could be some protocol of party. We have broken the trend of VIP culture.”