Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Thursday brushed aside Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s remark on the Delhi government’s recent announcement on free metro and bus ride to women.

“Whenever Arvind Kejriwal introduces a new scheme of this kind, it’s made fun of. But when it’s done, they say yes it is successful,” Sisodia was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader added, “With a lot of respect, I want to tell him that he must keep smiling and just give his blessings to Delhi people. We will do the work.”

Earlier today, Puri, the Minister of State Housing and Urban Affairs, said that the BJP supports initiatives for women but criticise the manner in which Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the scheme.

“BJP is all for women. We’ll do anything for women if it’s possible. But schemes are not made like this that you announce it first and then make proposal. Same thing he did in case of unauthorised colonies,” he said today.

On 3 June, Kejriwal announced free metro rides and free bus rides for women in Delhi, in a populist move that comes ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kejriwal said, “On all DTC buses, cluster buses and metro trains women will be allowed to travel free of cost so that they have a safe travel experience and can access modes of transport which they were not able to, due to high prices.”

He, however, said that the scheme is voluntary and women can choose to pay for the travel.

“Subsidy won’t be imposed on anyone. There are several women who can afford these modes of transport. Those who can afford, can purchase tickets, they needn’t take subsidy. We encourage those, who can afford, to buy tickets and not take subsidy so that others could benefit,” he added.

At least 8.4 lakh women travel in buses and 7.5 lakh women take the Metro daily.

Read More: Arvind Kejriwal announces free metro, bus rides for women in Delhi

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said Kejriwal was trying to mislead the people by proposing such a plan.

“He (Kejriwal) promised to deploy Marshals for the safety of women and panic buttons in buses, but it seems he himself is now panicking. He can’t understand what new tactic to use to mislead the people of Delhi,” Tiwari, the MP from North East Delhi, said.

He further questioned how such a major plan could be executed in merely six months when something like that could not even be started in 52 months. The BJP, however, asserted that it was not opposing the idea.