The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that came to power in the national Capital promising subsidised electricity among other things was at the receiving end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sarcastic reference to pre-poll promises made by parties.
In his address at the inauguration of RE-Invest 2015, the first Renewable Energy Global Investors’ Meet and Expo here on Sunday, Mr. Modi made a reference to how political parties in some States promise free power as sops, even as they do little by way of producing it.
What was perceived as a jibe at the AAP, Mr. Modi said political parties, during election, promise free power or else offer to pay for it. Questioning how they would pay for the power that they purchase, the Prime Minister said: “Water accounts for a major chunk of the input cost of farmers. The cost of water is basically because of cost of power. We have to understand the problems farmers are facing.”
The AAP, however, said that the party has a blueprint for reducing power tariff in the city.
“The PM did not name any leader or party so we would not like to specifically comment on what he has said, but our suggestion is that since elections are over, all political leaders and parties should stop blaming each other and join hands to work on development agenda,” said Atishi Marlena of the AAP.
She said the AAP is committed to lowering power tariff in the city and is hopeful of the Centre’s cooperation. “During elections we had seen advertisements with PM’s photos promising slashing electricity tariffs by half. We had put forth a concrete programme and road map on the issue of electricity tariff. The mandate to AAP shows that people have faith in our programme.”
