The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of attempting to “build a political base” at the cost of government funds in regard to his announcement related to free rides for women aboard public buses.
‘Political agenda’
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta alleged that Mr. Kejriwal was “advancing his political agenda” in the grab of free ridership to women passengers on Delhi Transport Corporation buses.
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“Coming at the time when elections are approaching, his [Kejriwal] desperation can well be understood. He has failed to provide a safe and convenient bus service to women... But he has chosen an easy measure involving huge public exchequer,” Mr. Gupta alleged.
“He wants to build a vote bank at the cost of public money. The funds will have to be diverted from development schemes,” he added.
Mr. Kejriwal had “forgotten his promise” to provide concessional passes in metro and DTC to senior citizens, students and the differently abled, Mr. Gupta said.
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He also demanded that these categories should be extended the benefit without further delay.
The LoP added that Mr. Kejriwal had before the election in 2015 promised to increase the size of the DTC fleet by 5,000 buses.
“But unfortunately, the fleet has been reduced from 5,000 to 3,800. The AAP government could not buy even a single bus in four and a half years,” he added.