Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shows a copy of the constitution during a public meeting ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections, at Bawana in New Delhi on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
With seven days left for voting for the Delhi Assembly election, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday ratcheted up pressure on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being “against Dalits and minorities” for not clearing his stand over the issue of caste census. Mr. Gandhi also said the former Delhi Chief Minister had “failed to stand by people” during the February 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
“Where was he [Mr. Kejriwal] when the Delhi riots were happening or when people were left distressed following the COVID-19 outbreak?” said the Congress leader, addressing a rally in Bawana.
The fresh salvo comes a day after a war of words between the leaders of the INDIA bloc parties. The Rae Bareli MP had on Tuesday alleged that the former CM is “afraid” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Kejriwal responded by suggesting that the Congress had entered into an “agreement” with the BJP to get a “clean chit” for its “corruption” cases.
While rallying support for three-time former MLA Surender Kumar, the party candidate from Bawana, Mr. Gandhi accused the AAP chief of running a “corrupt” government. He also took on Mr. Kejriwal over the issue of pollution in the Yamuna river.
“Modiji lies in his speeches, and so does Kejriwal. Five years ago, he (Kejriwal) said that he would take bath in the Yamuna and drink its water. Five years have gone by, and he is yet to fulfil his promise. You [voters] have to drink dirty water, but Kejriwal lives in a sheesh mahal, which is worth crores,” he said.
The Congress leader said unlike AAP and the BJP, the Congress delivers on its promises. “As promised, we waived loans and provided free bus rides to women in Karnataka and Telangana,” he said.
On the issue of caste census, Mr. Gandhi said, “We will hold a caste census wherever we’re in power. We will also try to get rid of the 50% ceiling.”
The Congress talks about employment, development and progress, he asserted.
“During Sheila (Dikshit) ji’s time, roads were built in Delhi, development took place because we do not make false promises,” Mr. Gandhi said.
He also attacked AAP and the BJP over unemployment. “A coolie told me at a railway station that he had a civil engineering degree but sadly there were no jobs for him in Delhi,” Mr. Gandhi said, adding that if Congress is brought back to power, the party will fulfil all the promises including ₹2,500 for women and ₹8,500 for unemployed youth every month.
‘Lowest inflation’
Replying to the allegations, AAP said Delhi has one of the lowest unemployment rates in India at 2.1%, according to the Central Government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey (July 2023 – June 2024).
“Today, Delhi stands out with the lowest inflation, 24×7 electricity, and free power for its people— a feat unmatched by any other state in the country,” it added.
Published – January 30, 2025 01:32 am IST