Saturday, June 20, 2026
ADVT 
India

Arvind Kejriwal Flays 'Gujarat Model', Modi Government

The Canadian Press, 27 Apr, 2016 10:41 AM
    Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday accused the central government of trying to fail development work in Delhi and said people have been "cheated in the name of Gujarat model".
     
    Addressing the National Council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal made one of his most scathing attacks on the Narendra Modi government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
     
    "The world is appreciating the AAP government whereas the central government is trying its best to scuttle our efforts (to develop Delhi)," he said. 
     
    "But still, we are moving ahead and working for the people of Delhi."
     
    He detailed the achievements of the AAP government since taking power in February 2015 including providing "cheapest" and uninterrupted electricity.
     
    "Our opponents said we won't be able to supply uninterrupted power, that too on cheapest rates.
     
    "We are also providing 20,000 liters of water to each family for free. And in fact Delhi is saving huge amount of water."
     
    He said his government had waived off water bills totalling Rs.2,500 crore and would build 8,000 new classrooms within two months. 
     
    He said Delhi's 'Mohalla Clinics' of model clinics had brought free medicines and tests to people's doorsteps. Every clinic was built in just Rs.20 lakh. 
     
    "Even the US says they need to learn from Mohalla Clinics. By now, we have 100. The number will be 1,000 by year-end."
     
    Claiming no government had done in 10-15 years what his government had achieved in just over a year, he said: "This is happening because there is an honest government in Delhi. We are saving money in each project."
     
     
    In contrast, he accused the central government of building a flyover in Bihar for Rs.3,000 crore when its cost estimate was Rs.509 crore. This, he said, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
     
    Kejriwal said he visited Gujarat and found schools and healthcare there in a bad shape. 
     
    "Now everyone knows what the Gujarat model is. People have been cheated in the name of Gujarat model.
     
    "There is a Delhi model of governance and the Gujarat model. We invite everyone to compare the two models."
     
    The AAP leader accused the BJP and its allied groups of doing "gundagardi" in the name of making people say "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and threatening to beat up those who did not raise the slogan. 
     
    He said the tens of thousands who thronged the Ramlila Maidan here during Gandhian Anna Hazare's protest in 2011 chanted "Bharat Mata ki Jai" from their heart.
     
    "See what they are doing in Kashmir," he said, in an obvious reference to the clashes between Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri students at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar. 
     
    He said the people of Delhi "are so happy that if elections happen today, 
    they won't win even a single seat".
     
    But he quickly added that the AAP's aim was not just to win elections.
     
    "We are here to change the system. We will fight to win. 
     
    "We will fight elections but before that we have to work hard. We have to fight to win 90 seats out of 100.
     
    "We will fight elections to make governments and change the system," he said, without outlining the AAP's long-term electoral plans beyond Punjab.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Understanding the media outburst against Kejriwal

    Understanding the media outburst against Kejriwal
    In no general election in my over three decades in journalism have I seen such brazen targeting of one politician and one political outfit as I see now in the case of Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    Understanding the media outburst against Kejriwal

    Chandigarh Seat: Two Heroines And A 'Villain'

    Chandigarh Seat: Two Heroines And A 'Villain'
    Actress Kirron Kher, 58, has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has added glamour quotient to the Chandigarh contest by fielding actress Gul Panag, 35.

    Chandigarh Seat: Two Heroines And A 'Villain'

    Purab Kohli urges youth to vote in LS elections

    Purab Kohli urges youth to vote in LS elections
    Actor Purab Kohli, also the ambassador for a campaign that engages the urban youth in governance and voting, Monday said the country's youth should "actively" participate in understanding the nuances of democracy.

    Purab Kohli urges youth to vote in LS elections

    After AAP and BJP, Delhi Congress to tap Social Media

    After AAP and BJP, Delhi Congress to tap Social Media
    The Congress' Delhi unit, which has so far overlooked the power of the social media, will finally launch its IT cell to drum up support ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

    After AAP and BJP, Delhi Congress to tap Social Media

    Akalis can breathe easy: Arun Jaitley ends Sidhu's Punjab politics for now

    Akalis can breathe easy: Arun Jaitley ends Sidhu's Punjab politics for now
    Having been involved in a war of words with BJP's Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu in recent times, they may not have to bear with "Sidhuisms" for some time as the party has now announced Arun Jaitley as its candidate from the seat

    Akalis can breathe easy: Arun Jaitley ends Sidhu's Punjab politics for now

    Holi Special: For Safe Holi, Make Natural Colours At Home

    Holi Special: For Safe Holi, Make Natural Colours At Home
    The best bet for an affordable yet safe Holi is to make the colours at home using natural ingredients like flowers, fruits and vegetables.

    Holi Special: For Safe Holi, Make Natural Colours At Home