GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, FEB 6
In a broadside against the ruling BJP and Main Opposition Congress, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said both have let down the voters in Gujarat and now, “the tide has turned in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party to provide a viable alternative to both.”
Ahmedabad Road Show Visuals#TeamAKInGujarat pic.twitter.com/fdf6cBCahW
— AAP Gujarat (@AAPGujarat) February 6, 2021
Speaking at a media meet before commencing his campaigning in Ahmedabad, Sidodia said, “The tide has turned in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party to provide a viable alternative to both. Congress and BJP are like two sides of the same coin. During their 25 years of rule in the state as well as all the municipal corporations, BJP corporators had made ‘only contract killings’ (civic tenders) and education, health and infrastructure developments have deteriorated. Even those who had been elected on Congress tickets ditched the voters and switched over to BJP ‘only to have their share in the pie’. Congress has miserably failed to hold any protest against the ruling party owing to its weakness.”
मोदीजीने सूरत के व्यापारियों को कोरोना के बहाने बेवजह खूब परेशान किया है। सब कुछ देना हो तो अडानी-अम्बानी को देगे लेकिन कमल के फूल पर वॉट मांगने व्यापारियों के पास आएंगे और वॉट लेकर पांच साल के लिए FOOL बनाएंगे।
~@SanjayAzadSln#TeamAKInGujarat pic.twitter.com/LOHTFTQq2S— AAP Gujarat (@AAPGujarat) February 6, 2021
Sisodia asserted that the AAP presents the only alternative to the ruling BJP as the main opposition Congress has lost its credibility.
He alleged that despite being in power in municipal corporations for 25 years, the BJP could not ensure strong health care and school infrastructure for the urban population, unlike the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP that ensured it through mohalla clinics and government schools with world-class infrastructure. In Delhi, parents prefer civic schools over private schools for quality education whereas in the Model State of Gujarat’ all educational institutions are run by politicians from all hues.
“BJP has been in the municipal corporations for the last 25 years but has not constructed proper primary health centres. In 25 years, no urban dweller can say he depends on the primary health care system, that he trusts it. It is a complete failure,” he said.
Sisodia alleged that the BJP has also failed in terms of the civic facilities.
“On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal set up mohalla clinics merely in five years. The AAP government in Delhi started doorstep delivery of documents and other services to the beneficiaries,” he said.
In Gujarat cities, people have to run from pillar to post for the same, he said.
“If it can happen in Delhi in five years, why it couldn’t be done in Gujarat in 25 years?” he asked.
Replying to a query on farmers’ agitation, he said BJP-led government at the Centre should accept the demands of the farmers protesting against the three new agriculture laws.
He alleged that the ruling BJP has brought these laws for the benefit of some corporates by ignoring the interests of farmers.
Sisodia is in Ahmedabad to hold a road-show ahead of the municipal corporation elections.
His statements come amid the nationwide ”chakka jam” protest being held on Saturday by the farmers protesting the farm laws.
“There is high alert in Delhi, but one can understand the pain of farmers across the country. I have seen that farmers from Gujarat also went to Delhi to present their points (on farm laws),” he said.
“The main issue is why did the BJP bring the laws to benefit select corporates by setting aside the interest of farmers? And if the BJP thinks that the laws are in the interest of farmers, and they understand them better, then why doesn”t it accept the farmers” demands?…It should accept their demands,” he said.
Asked whether the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supports the agitation by farmers, he said that his party supports all the lawful activities.
“The issue is not about AAP’s support…AAP supports the demands made by the farmers. We support all the lawful activities,” he said.
Sisodia said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal won’t be arriving in Gujarat due to the ongoing farmers’ agitation in the national capital region (NCR).
“Why is the BJP favouring a few corporates and keeping aside the welfare of farmers in this country by bringing such laws? Kejriwal ji is stationed in Delhi right now to take care of our farmer brothers.”
In Gujarat, polls to the six municipal corporations in Ahmedabad will be held on February 21, while elections to 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats will be conducted on February 28.
