‘Give us all 7 Lok Sabha seats, I will get seven more hands’: Kejriwal appeals to Delhi voters

Appealing to Delhiites to vote for the INDIA alliance — which the AAP is a part of — and make it win the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said at a press conference: “You gave me 68 out of 70 seats once (in 2015) and 62 seats (in 2020)… that’s why we could make form our government. If you had given me 40 seats, these people (BJP) would have toppled the government like they are doing in other states. At present, I am fighting with the Centre, BJP and the L-G… Whenever work is stopped, the seven BJP MPs enjoy and do not do anything. But, if you choose us and give us all 7 seats, I will get seven more hands and more strength… Think about this and vote for us. Then no L-G would dare to stop the work of Delhi…”

Outlining the aspects of the new financial assistance scheme for women, the CM said: “Today, we made a big announcement for my sisters and mothers in Delhi… for women empowerment… How will a woman feel empowered, if she is not financially independent? A woman who isn’t working has to ask her husband, parent, or brother for money every time for small needs. But this will not happen now.., as Rs 1,000 will be credited to their account every month,” he said.

With an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, it has also reduced from last year’s Rs 78,800 crore. (Express File Photo)

Before the 2020 Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP government had announced the ‘pink ticket scheme’ for free bus travel for women.

Kejriwal also said the previous governments had only one theory, “trickle-down economics”, which benefited only a particular section: “(If you) give money to a few selected families, they will set up their businesses, but it never helps the country’s economy. Ours is a bottom-up theory, where the poor benefit; because when a poor person gets money, he or she invests in his family’s basic needs which helps boost the economy… (Similarly), when women receive money, they will buy things they want and it will help the economy…”

He further emphasised the AAP government’s slew of subsidies in several sectors: “Delhi has a very honest government (AAP) which saves money… unlike other parties… and spends it on the public by providing free electricity, water, health services, Teerth Yatra Yojana and travel for women…”

The CM also said the Budget is inspired by the teachings of Ram Rajya. “We have been working towards education, health, roads but the focus on the condition of village roads was left unnoticed. Keeping that in mind, we have allocated a separate budget for the redevelopment of village roads…,” he said.

When asked about the ‘Ram Rajya’ push, Kejriwal said, “We believe in Ram Rajya… We have mentioned the concept in several budget presentations… even during Manish (Sisodia) ji’s time.”

The CM also said that this budget was very emotional for him: “I don’t come from a political background and never thought I would enter politics. I thank the people of Delhi for electing us. We don’t see this as a political achievement or just a government, for me every person living in Delhi is like my family. I try to take care of them like I care for my parents, daughter and son by providing them better education and health facilities…”

When asked if the announcements will have an impact on Lok Sabha vote banks, the CM said, “Yes, it should… why not… Kejriwal jo bolta hai wo karta hai…”

Meanwhile, Atishi, who was also present at the press meeting, said, “… All our policies and schemes are inspired by the concept of Ram Rajya… Our government has been working on these principles for the last nine years. No government has worked as much on education, health…”