Kejriwal reaches out to traders, says won’t be intimidated under AAP govt
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat was intimidating traders and assured the community would be safe if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is voted to power in next month’s assembly elections.
The AAP convener also said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be simplified, and Value Added Tax (VAT) and other pending refunds will be paid within six months once the party comes to power.
“I can see many traders here listening... they are scared of the present government, isn’t it? If we come to power, we will abolish the ‘Inspector Raj’, we will abolish the ‘Raid Raj’,” Kejriwal said at a roadshow in Bhavnagar while cam1990 paigning for the party’s candidates.
“None of you will have to visit a government office, all your work will be carried out at your place. None of the traders will be intimidated. We will give every businessman the respect they deserve,” he added.
Polling in Gujarat is slated to be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be held on December 8.
The BJP is looking to secure a seventh electoral victory in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah.
The state is witnessing the first triangular electoral contest since with the Congress and AAP hoping to dislodge the ruling BJP.
“VAT and other pending refunds will be paid within six months and GST will be simplified (if AAP is voted to power),” Kejriwal said as he reached out to the trading community.
“Such a system will be implemented in which businessmen will be given participation, a representative will be made from each area who will present every problem and suggestion of the businessmen to the government and the government will implement the system accordingly,” he added.
Kejriwal also said “a heavy storm of change is brewing” in Gujarat. “The entire state has stood up. Some miracle is going to happen this time. It is said in Bhagavad Gita that whenever the pot of sin is full, the Almighty sweeps his broom. The Almighty has started sweeping his broom,” he said. HT reached out to state BJP spokesperson Zubin Ashara for a comment but did not get one.