New Delhi: The Congress Thursday slammed the Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP)-led Delhi authorities over experiences of Rs 45 crore allegedly being spent on the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence amid Covid pandemic, calling it “a slap on the face of its voters”. Amid opposition unity talks, there’s an obvious dichotomy within the angle of Congress’s state and central items over the problem.
Talking on the celebration headquarters in New Delhi Thursday, Pawan Khera, head of the media wing of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), mentioned: “When individuals have been struggling resulting from lack of oxygen throughout Covid, what was he (Kejriwal) doing? Rs 45 crore spent to renovate his home, construct a swimming pool, set up curtains value lakhs and crores, becoming tiles… is that this the federal government of the aam aadmi (frequent man)?… This is similar authorities that used to blow its personal trumpet when it got here to honesty and ease…” Khera mentioned.
He referred to the 2013 affidavit for austerity submitted by all AAP leaders through which they pledged to reside like a typical man.
On Wednesday, the AAP had defended the transfer saying the bungalow was round 80 years previous and wanted renovation after the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) made the allegations citing media experiences.
Congress celebration media division head in contrast Kejriwal’s time period to that of his predecessor, Congress stalwart and three-time CM of Delhi, late Sheila Dixit.
Elevating questions over the safety deployed outdoors the Kejriwal’s residence, Khera requested: “May even an MLA go contained in the CM’s residence?”
“For 15 years, from Monday to Sunday, (former CM) Sheila Dixit would meet the frequent public for 2-3 hours each morning… even with out appointments. The gates could be open and anybody may go and meet. MLAs may come after they needed,” he added.
He additional mentioned: “You’ll be able to pull out the small print of Sheila Dixit and her ministers… how a lot they spent on sustaining their bungalows and repairing them. Evaluate that to Rs 45 crore spent on the CM’s residence. It’s shameful… It’s like slapping their voters”.
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Dharam Sankat for state unit?
Khera’s feedback come at a time when the opposition events within the nation are making efforts to unite in opposition to the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Notably, final month, a number of opposition events, together with the AAP, met the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence throughout the Parliament session. Earlier this month, Kharge dialled Arvind Kejriwal to supply his help when the latter was summoned by the ED within the Delhi excise coverage case.
When requested concerning the dichotomy within the Congress’s angle in direction of the AAP, Khera mentioned that the 2 viewpoints can “co-exist”.
“The truth that Mr Kharge known as the AAP is a wholesome custom. It’s a strategy to strengthen inter-personal relationships as a result of all of us ought to keep good relations with one another given the form of combat we’re preventing. However that doesn’t imply that when such an infraction involves the fore, we gained’t say something… Each can co-exist,” he mentioned.
Curiously, no organisational functionary of the Delhi Congress has spoken on the problem of the alleged Rs 45 crore renovation.
Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaudhary, who had launched a scathing assault on AAP minister Manish Sisodia when he was arrested within the excise coverage case, has not issued any assertion over the controversy round Kejriwal’s house renovation.
Talking on situation of anonymity, a functionary of the Delhi Congress informed ThePrint Thursday the state unit was in a “dharam sankat”.
“We have been talking in opposition to the AAP even after the assembly in Kharge ji’s home… However after the telephone name (by Kharge to Kejriwal) now we have backed off. We can’t distance ourselves from the feedback of the Congress president,” the functionary mentioned.
The one chief from Delhi who’s been constantly talking in opposition to Kejriwal is former Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken.
“Arvind Kejriwal, who had beforehand been identified for espousing rules of austerity, had claimed to signify the frequent man and promised to supply a set of elected representatives who would eschew lavish types of dwelling, don’t have any safety, and journey like abnormal individuals…,” he mentioned within the tweet.
Maken even questioned Kejriwal’s proper to stay in his place as a public servant, saying “his actions appear to contradict these rules”.
#OperationSheeshMahal
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been accused of reportedly spending public funds on a lavish 7-star residential facility for himself throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.In keeping with official data, a complete of Rs. 44.78 Cr. was spent on the…
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) April 26, 2023
In keeping with experiences, Maken had additionally mentioned that the Congress ought to present “no sympathy” to Kejriwal when the latter was summoned by the ED. His assertion was seen as sharp distinction to Kharge’s outreach.
On the time, a senior AICC functionary had identified that Maken had used the time period “I” in his assertion and never “we”, which means that it was a private assertion.
The identical functionary Thursday identified how the Congress has not sidelined Maken’s assault on Kejriwal for the renovation scandal as private opinion. “Mr. Maken has mentioned what needs to be mentioned on the matter. We didn’t distance ourselves from his feedback,” mentioned the functionary.
One other AICC functionary mentioned that the celebration is following a precept of “issue-based help” with the AAP.
“They (AAP) didn’t help us when Rahul (Gandhi) and Sonia ji have been known as within the Nationwide Herald case. We can’t help this, even when talks of opposition unity are on. These two points are on a special aircraft,” mentioned the functionary.
(Edited by Anumeha Saxena)
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