Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the AAP government in Delhi describing it as the “worst government since Independence” to rule Delhi and cautioned the people of poll- bound Punjab to be “wary” of the party.
“That party’s (AAP) example of running the government is before us in Delhi. This example, showing what kind of government they are running, is before the country. Anybody who looks at the rule of Delhi, will come to know the quality of their governance,” the BJP leader told reporters here.
He was asked to comment on the Arvind Kejriwal-led party which is eyeing to wrest power in Punjab after 2017 polls.
“If you ask me what are my comments (about AAP), I regard it as worst government (in Delhi) since Independence. The quality of governance which the Union Territory of Delhi is seeing should be warning, caution enough for people of Punjab,” he added.
Asked as to what explains the “rising popularity” of the AAP in Punjab despite its “poor performance” in Delhi, Mr. Jaitley said: “I think, that will be reflected in the (Punjab) elections. Let’s not underestimate the intelligence of people. If they (AAP) have been able to create an erroneous impression once, they can’t do it over and over again.
“Where is the example of other political party that within months of governance, leader after leader gets caught in a tangle,” he said.
Asked to comment on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s comments on Saturday wherein he had said he will be a better Finance Minister than Jaitley, the Minister refused to comment. “I have nothing to say on that,” Mr. Jaitley quipped with a smile.
“I am an economist. He is a lawyer. How can he be better than me?” Mr. Swamy had said.
Mr. Jaitley was in Jalandhar to attend a BJP meeting to take stock of the political situation in view of the 2017 Assembly poll in the State.
The meeting was also attended by BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal and party national vice-president and party in charge for Punjab affairs Prabhat Jha and Punjab BJP chief and Union Minister Vijay Sampla, among others. PTI
