In an effort to regain its lost ground ahead of possible Assembly elections in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday was back to courting the auto drivers in the city.
Addressing a rally of one of the party’s most vociferous backers who made it a blockbuster win for AAP in the December Assembly polls, Kejriwal once again came out come in support of their grievances and promised to solve them if his party returns to power. The rally at Ramlila Ground, seen as launch of AAP’s campaign to woo its traditional support base, saw participation of all top party leaders who expressed confidence of coming back to power if fresh elections are held. Kejriwal also lashed out at the BJP and Congress of ‘not having any intention’ to resolve people’s problems in the national Capital and promised the auto drivers his full support in their fight for redressal of grievance.
The former Delhi Chief Minister said that autos are being taken into custody for petty reasons and even for that the drivers have to shell out money. “We will meet the Delhi Police Commissioner (BS Bassi) and lieutenant Governor (Najeeb Jung) and put forth a few issues. We will demand that any auto driver who is ferrying to have lunch or is retiring for the day should not be penalised,” said Kejriwal to a crowd of around 2,000 auto drivers. Other major issues like looking into the provision of 66/192A (of the Motor Vehicles Act) will be considered after AAP is voted to power, he added. The AAP also announced a helpline (85888-33553) for autorickshaw drivers to lodge their grievances against the authorities. He came down heavily on the Delhi Police for ‘harassing’ auto drivers.
The former CM claimed that it was his party to first look into the woes of auto drivers and after becoming the Chief Minister, he did not forget them, but also addressed a rally of auto drivers in Burari, early this year. “It was our party who looked at the problems of the auto drivers and it was then the BJP and the Congress who looked at you as vote bank,” he said.