The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has reacted strongly to a statement made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the importance the AAP proposes to give to resident welfare associations in the MCD administration if voted to the civic body.

Feeling let down by Kejriwal’s stand, Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of the CAIT said the chief minister undermined the importance of traders and trade associations in the development of Delhi. It also gives a clear-cut message that Kejriwal has scant respect or value for the traders.

He said the announcement of Kejriwal will open a floodgate for AAP-sponsored RWAs who will try to control the good work done by the current set of RWAs in Delhi.  Kejriwal needs His Master’s Voice everywhere.

Khandelwal said he would talk to the leading RWA organization, Urja, on what he called the sinister design of Kejriwal. Traders are the backbone of Delhi’s economy. More than 3,000 small and big trade associations are working for a very long time and whenever there is a question of giving any help during any crisis, these trade associations stand in the first line and perform their duties, but it is very sad that Kejriwal does not find any value for trade associations. It’s an insult to Delhi traders which cannot be taken lightly, he warned.

There are more than 12 lakh traders, big and small, in Delhi, who provide employment to more than 25 lakh people. The traders not only feed their own families but also their employees and their families. Ignoring such a large community or vote bank is going to cost politically to Kejriwal a lot.

Khandelwal said if Kejriwal is so serious, why then did he not give importance to RWAs at the assembly level to date while ruling Delhi for the last so many years? Now, at the time of the elections, he is praising RWA. This is clearly a statement of a well-thought-out electoral strategy! Whatever may be the truth behind it, it is very clear that with this announcement of Kejriwal has insulted the traders and the trade association of Delhi and Delhi traders will give a befitting reply on 4th December! Now it is clear that “The one who will talk about the interest of the trader – will rule Delhi”