AAP, parties never paid us for ads, auto drivers tell EC

Nearly 80,000 auto-rickshaws ply on Delhi roads daily. They were a major factor in the AAP’s spectacular performance in the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections. The union also blamed the parties for creating “animosity” among drivers on the basis of their allegiances to different candidates.

“Till date, we were not aware that there is a provision for us to be paid for the political advertisements. The charge used to be Rs 100 earlier but was increased to Rs 1,100 some time ago. Today, Election Commission officials told us that we should be paid this amount. Kejriwal never paid us anything. We campaigned for him free of cost. From now, if any auto-driver is denied money due for political advertisements, he must approach the union. We will lodge a complaint with police,” Soni told Newsline.

Accusing Kejriwal of “betraying” the auto-drivers and labourers of the capital, Soni said a large number of auto drivers had extended support to the AAP because of their anti-corruption stand, but their expectations were unfulfilled. “We will protest against any party that has betrayed us. The AAP went back on its promises. Kejriwal used to say he will make the contractual employees in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) permanent, but he failed to do so. He had promised we will get licences; the police will stop harassing us. Did it happen? No. We will now tell the public how he cheated us,” Soni said.