Hitting out at the BJP, former Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement on ‘free ki revdi’, saying he has given six free schemes to Delhiites and the seventh one will be rolled out soon. At his second Janta ki Adalat (public meeting) at Chattarsal Stadium Sunday, he said, “Under the Modi government, there has only been inflation and unemployment. I consider the 2 crore people of Delhi as my family. So, I provided free electricity, education, travel for sisters and mothers. But Modi ji says Kejriwal is distributing ‘free ki revdi’.” He also promised full statehood for Delhi and once again raised his demand for early polls in Delhi, along with Maharashtra and Jharkhand, in November. Distributing small packets with six revdi (sweets made of sesame seeds) to all present, he asked them not to vote for the BJP or else they would lose all subsidy schemes. “This packet has six revdi — free electricity, free water supply, Teerth Yatra for senior citizens, free travel for women, free education and health. The seventh is coming soon. Women in Delhi are going to get Rs 1,000 in their bank accounts.” The AAP chief also claimed if votes go to the BJP, Modi and his party will privatise everything — DTC buses, the Delhi Jal Board, education, and hospitals — and give it to his friends: “First, they’ll stop free electricity. as people in states ruled by them have now started demanding free electricity. They say Kejriwal is a thief. I’m not, that’s why I’m going amongst the people and seeking votes in the name of honesty.” Making his pitch for the assembly elections next year, Kejriwal said the BJP gives tickets to its family members and relatives, unlike the AAP which gives tickets to common people: “When I resigned, BJP made statements and spread rumours that I will make my wife the next CM. I care about you, that is why I chose a party worker for the post.” Referring to British rule, Kejriwal also attacked L-G V K Saxena and said, “Leaders like Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan fought for this country to get freedom from the British. but. is this why they fought for independence? So the L-G can rule and stop all work in Delhi?.” Reiterating his demand for full statehood, Kejriwal said, “Ten years ago, I was nothing. You elected me. aaj main aapke samne kasam kha ke jaa raha apni zindagi ke andar aapke poore adhikar dila kar rahunga. Delhi ko purnarajya bana kar rahenhe, Dilli ko L-G se mukti dila kar rahenge, janta ka shashan kar ke rahenge (Today, I promise you that we will make Delhi a full state and free Delhi from the L-G. I promise you, I will bring democracy to Delhi.” He attacked Home Minister Amit Shah for “stopping insulin” in jail: “. Why did you stop my insulin. the nation wants to know.” Raising the matter of the condition of roads, he said: “Repairs on roads have started, sewers cleaning will start soon. as I promised, pending pension schemes have been resumed.” He also assured bus marshals they would get their jobs back. The meeting was attended by Delhi CM Atishi, and senior party leaders Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Imran Hussain, Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor called Kejriwal’s event a “flop show”. “Today, when Kejriwal spoke like a man pleading for his political survival, as he falsely spoke of denial of insulin to him in jail, the stadium was almost empty and attracted no sympathy. he only insulted the people by calling subsidies freebies.” Voices from the crowd Among the crowd of around 5,000, The Indian Express spoke to several who felt the AAP would be voted back to power in the Assembly polls. Some, however, were at the rally to complain about broken roads and non-functional streetlights. Model Town resident, 60-year-old Sapan Singh was mostly in agreement with Kejriwal's speech. "BJP arrested Kejriwal ji in a fake liquor case and stopped all works in Delhi. but we are not fools. Kejriwal ji resigned for us. We will make him CM again,” he said. Azadpur resident Mansa Yadav credited the AAP government’s policies of free electricity and water. Citing the problem of unemployment, Ravi from Timarpur said he wanted Kejriwal to become the CM again. However, 60-year-old Kavita Abrol from Sabzi Mandi, Ghantaghar, warned that ‘free ki revdi’ will not work for long. “Only giving some subsidy in electricity and free travel will not help. I came here to meet our MLA and Kejriwal to complain about the current situation in the city. All roads in my area are broken, it is difficult to walk,” she said, adding that the street lights had also not working for the past several weeks. She also complained about digitisation of services. “They made all the work online and there is no assistant. People ask Rs 1,000 for filling forms and application processes.”
