Delhi: BJP slams AAP's 'disappointing' one-month tenure

Terming the one month tenure of Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government as "disappointing", Delhi BJP on Monday accused it of failing to provide relief to public and faltering on its key promises like power, women security, free WiFi, water among others.

BJP's Delhi unit chief, Satish Upadhyay also targeted Kejriwal over the alleged horse-trading audio tape involving the AAP leader.

Questioning AAP over its transparent and ethical brand of politics, Upadhyay claimed that the Kejriwal-led government has failed to fulfill promises made like providing free water (20,000 litres per household a month), electricity (up to 400 unit consumption), WiFi, deploying marshals in DTC buses for women's safety, installation of CCTV cameras and assurance of cutting down administrative expenses amongst others.

The BJP also said it will pursue the issue of alleged fake certificate submitted by Minister Jitendra Tomar to get enrolled in a law college, and would force him to quit.

"Tomar has misled his own government. There is hearing pending before court in this regard. We will force him to resign if his degree is proved bogus," he said.

Referring to the audio tape as per which Kejriwal allegedly tried to poach six Congress MLAs including three Muslim legislators to form a government again after resigning, Upadhyay said he was engaging in communal politics.

"He is looking at Muslim bhais as only vote bank," Upadhyay said.

"We understand AAP has completed just a month in the government and it needs to be given time. Still, whatever they had promised has not been delivered. From Delhi people's point of view, the government's performance has been disappointing," Upadhyay told reporters here.

Referring to media reports about Kejriwal targeting previous Delhi government over 'faulty' water automatic reading meters (AMRs), Upadhyay said the AAP government was forcing people to install the same meters.

"He used to say these meters showed water consumption even if air was blown through them. His men had also lodged FIR saying meters were faulty, pinching pockets of people (by showing higher readings). Now, what has made them to issue show cause notices to people warning them to install same meters?" he asked showing copies of notices sent to residents.

He added the government was taking help of police when new AMRs are being installed. "If people refuse to install meters, then FIR will be lodged against them. This shows double standard of the government. What will happen to consumers?" he asked.

Upadhyay also claimed the government's decision to provide free water will benefit only 30 per cent of Delhi's populace and not people living in slums and on rent, who he said, had shown faith in AAP.

Similarly, the government's promise of providing free electricity will benefit only 25 per cent consumers and claimed people are receiving exorbitant bills, he said seeking to know the government's tariff plan for the next five years.

Referring to a recent incident in which a person lost life due to an open cable, Upadhyay asked how the government plans to tackle such untoward incidents.

On the promise to provide free WiFi services, Upadhyay took a jibe at AAP saying whether it was waiting for the Centre to launch a similar plan.

Referring to Kejriwal's statement that WiFi would be provided after a year and there will be a dialogue with public to decide time for which service will be provided, he wondered whether the AAP leader had told the people before the polls about the time conditions.

The BJP also lambasted the AAP government over its 'failure' to deploy marshals in DTC buses and over installation of CCTV cameras across city.

"You talk about women's safety, but there is no woman minister in your government. There is no representation for 50 per cent voters of Delhi in the government," he said.

The BJP questioned the government also over disbanding of medical council formed by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and replacing the same with four other doctors.

"AAP had promised to bring down administrative expenses.

But it has appointed 21 Parliamentary secretaries. You said they won't be paid salaries. But you are giving them vehicles, petrol, offices, staff, stationery. What will be the expense? "It is possible that these secretaries may go abroad to figure out ways to improve functioning of parliamentary system.

Ministers, MLAs have been given vehicles, secretary, staff. Won't the expenses increase?" he said questioning what unprecedented transparent governance system the AAP was talking about.