Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Ready to teach Khattar for free how to run govt, says Kejriwal

ATTACK MODE The AAP convener says even ‘bhakts’ cannot recount PM Modi’s achievemen­ts; wants SC order implemente­d on SYL canal; denies running for PM’S post

- Hardik Anand

ROHTAK : Delhi chief minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday advised Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to learn from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the capital on how to efficientl­y run a state and improve infrastruc­ture.

The AAP convener was in Rohtak to take part in a Kanwar Yatra that was organised by the Haryana wing of his party. Addressing a news conference later, Kejriwal showered all praises on his government in Delhi highlighti­ng that his government, formed almost the same time as Khattar’s, was doing much better than Haryana despite repeated hurdles put forth by the BJP.

“Both the AAP government in Delhi and BJP government in Haryana were formed around the same time. But I feel sad for Haryana. While AAP models are being praised and implemente­d all over the world, Haryana people don’t even have basic facilities of electricit­y and water. When we can improve education in government schools and open low-cost state-of-the-art hospitals without Centre’s support, why can’t the Khattar government do anything good for Haryana despite having all the resources?” Kejriwal asked.

“I think either CM Khattar does not know how to run the government, or he has no intentions of doing good for the people. If it is the former, then I’m ready to teach him for free, how to improve education in government schools; how to build Mohalla Clinics; how to reduce rates of electricit­y — I will teach him all of this, and he can still implement our models in the one year that is left,” he added.

‘DON’T HAVE ANY POWERS IN DELHI’

Calling himself ‘Adhe rajya ka ek chauthayi mukhyamant­ri’ (half-state’s one-fourth CM), Kejriwal attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “snatching all powers from him”. Kejriwal said even those department­s that were under the Delhi government during ex-cm Sheila Dixit’s time were taken away from him by the PM.

“One by one, he snatched away all my powers. When we were voted to power for 49 days, we had sent 32 officials in jail for corruption. But when we came back with full majority, PM Modi immediatel­y sent paramilita­ry forces to our anti-corruption bureau and took it over from us. All other powers of transferri­ng and suspending officials were also snatched,” he said.

He, though, said that the recent Supreme Court order has been helping their government.

‘WILL NOT BE PM FACE’

Docking the question on united opposition, Kejriwal said he did not believe in the politics of ‘Mahagathba­ndhan’ (grand alliance) but rather wanted to resolve people’s issues. He, though, maintained that he was not running for Prime Minister. “It’s for big people. I’m too far from even thinking about it,” he claimed.

Attacking PM Modi, Kejriwal said even his die-hard fans, “or Bhakts”, cannot recount any of his achievemen­ts. “Demonetisa­tion, GST have all been failures. People have been harassed by these moves than getting any advantage from them,” he said.

‘MY STAND ON SYL CLEAR’

Stating that he has been misquoted often on his stand on the SYL, Kejriwal said he only wants the Supreme Court order to be implemente­d. “Both the BJP and Congress have had the chance to amicably resolve the issue. But they did not, because they want this politics to go on. The justice will be served when the SC order is implemente­d,” he said.

 ?? MANOJ DHAKA/HT ?? Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal with Haryana party president Naveen Jaihind during a press conference at Circuit House in Rohtak on Thursday.
MANOJ DHAKA/HT Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal with Haryana party president Naveen Jaihind during a press conference at Circuit House in Rohtak on Thursday.

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