Delhi Chief Minister and national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Raman Singh-led BJP government in Chhattisgarh and appealed to the people of the state to throw it out of power.
Addressing his maiden rally — “Badallo Chhattisgarh Sankalp Sabha” (swear to bring change in Chhattisgarh rally) — in Raipur which saw a large gathering of around 15,000, Mr Kejriwal accused Chief Minister Raman Singh of “looting Chhattisgarh” during his 15 year tenure.
“The poor people, who can’t even afford two meals, have spent money and walked a long distance to attend this rally in large numbers. They haven’t come to listen to Arvind Kejriwal. They have come together to throw Raman Singh government out of power in Chhattisgarh. The crowd at this rally shows the people of the State are fed up with the government. The poor people (of Chhattisgarh) have made up their mind to bring an honest government in Chhattisgarh,” Mr.Kejriwal said.
Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are due in October-November this year and Mr. Kejriwal’s rally appeared kickstart the AAP’s campaign.
Daring Mr Raman Singh to showcase at least one “good work” done in the last 15 years, Mr Kejriwal asked AAP workers to convince the people to vote for his party.
“Raman Singh made sure Chhattisgarh is destroyed in last 15 years. Chhattisgarh is gifted with rich mineral resources such as iron and coal, dense forests, rivers and even diamonds. But politicians plundered this wealth. Now the diamond producing State is witnessing farmers’ suicides. They have completely destroyed the State in last 15 years. Tell me, have the government schools of Chhattisgarh improved? Have the government hospitals improved? The coal, iron and other mineral resources belonged to the common people and not to Raman Singh,” the AAP leader said.
Exhorting the people, he said, “Now the time has come for a change. You have the key (for the change). Bring a change in Chhattisgarh the way the people of Delhi brought a change four years ago.”
“Delhi’s government schools were worse than Chhattisgarh’s three years ago. But now even rich people prefer to send their kids to these schools. I don’t have a 56-inch chest but I feel proud when I see even rich people are coming to government hospitals in Delhi for treatment because we have improved the facilities there,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.
