Kejriwal: Cong, BJP looted state for years

DHARAMSHALA: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in Himachal Pradesh, saying the two parties did not leave any stone unturned to loot the state that has been blessed with abundant resources.

Alleging that the Opposition has been targeting him, Kejriwal said the Congress ruled the mountain state for 30 years while BJP was in power for 17 years in the hilly state. “Both these parties looted Himachal Pradesh and now they are cursing me,” he told a rally at Chambi Maidan in Shahpur assembly constituency near Dharamshala.

Saturday’s rally was the AAP’s second major event in the state where assembly elections are slated to be held at the end of this year. On April 6, Kejriwal, along with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, had held a massive roadshow in Mandi district with an appeal to voters to elect the AAP if they want corruption eradicated from the state.

Hitting out at chief minister

I will not say much but will give an appropriate reply at an appropriate time JAIRAM THAKUR, chief minister

Jairam Thakur for his statement that “the Delhi model is not acceptable in the state”, Kejriwal said: “Delhi model means an honest government.” “It is possible in Himachal as well but their (BJP) intentions are not good,” he said.

On Kejriwal’s remarks, Thakur said: “Kejriwal first came to Mandi and went back without saying much. He has started speaking just now… I will not say much but will give an appropriate reply at an appropriate time.”

Arvind Kejriwal