The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of misleading the people of Delhi, as the latter announced free power for usage up to 200 units.
Calling the step an “election gimmick”, the BJP accused Kejriwal of looting Rs 8,500 crore as fixed charge and load charge from consumers, while the Congress demanded that AAP government should provide free power for at least one year.
AAP countered the allegations and attacked the BJP stating that their government is providing the cheapest electricity in the country and the BJP didn’t want people to get free power.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari has warned of an agitation if the money looted from the consumers was not refunded.
“If the Delhi government didn’t refund the looted money then the BJP will launch a movement. People will penalise Kejriwal for looting them. It’s Kejriwal’s new tactic of buying votes by making the announcement of freebies in view of the elections.”
He had earlier on Thursday claimed that it was “not the decision of Kejriwal but a result of BJP’s struggle”.
Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly and BJP MLA Vijender Gupta called out the “bluff” of CM Kejriwal and accused him of “not ordering CAG audit of the power companies”.
“Kejriwal is misleading the people to cover up his failures during four and a half years,” Gupta said.
The Congress party joined the chorus to attack the AAP over the electricity freebie and said, ” yet another election gimmick by the Kejriwal government after making some nominal cuts in the power tariff with an eye on the Assembly elections.”
Earlier, AAP leader Atishi tweeted, ” After transforming the power sector in Delhi with 24*7 electricity, improved infrastructure, the improved financial health of electricity distribution companies, CM @ArvindKejriwal announces 200 units lifeline electricity-free for Delhi’s citizens (sic).”