AAP govt hiding its failures, says Cong

We were in power for 15 years and also demanded statehood... we were also delivering. The AAP government has been a nonperformer and to conceal its inabilities and failures, it is seeking a full statehood

AJAY MAKEN, Cong chief Delhi

NEW DELHI : The Congress on Friday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its demand seeking full statehood for the Capital.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said the government had raised the issue to hide its failures as it has been unable to fulfill even a single promise it had made.

“We were in power for 15 years and also demanded statehood. At the same time, we were also delivering. The AAP government has been a non-performer and to conceal its inabilities and failures, it is seeking a full statehood,” Maken said at a press conference.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal should bring out a white paper on full statehood for Delhi in which it should explain in detail what all benefits the city would get it is granted the status, he added.

Taking on the AAP government, the Congress leader said the question is not only about the statehood, the issue is whether the city will continue to be the national Capital.

Being the Capital city, it avails a lot of perks and benefits from the Centre and it includes financial allocation of R6,953 crore for Delhi Police, Maken said.

“For hospitals such as AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia, the Central government gives R 3,000 crore per year. Delhi also boasts of three Central universities, including Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Jamia Milia Islamia University for which the city gets R 2, 633 crore. Will Delhi continue to get these economic benefits once it becomes full state?,” the Congress leader said.

He said the government will have to explain these things to tell people of Delhi.

“If these financial assistance from the Centre stops, it will be total injustice to citizen of the city. It will put extra tax burden on them,” Maken said.