CHANDIGARH: Having used Power as main poll plank in New Delhi and Punjab to capture the electoral politics, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now decided to use the same poll plank in Haryana to reach out to the electorate, especially the women folklore and farmers.
All this became evident on Sunday when the National Convenor of AAP and chief minister of New Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Maan launched the Bijli Andolan from Panchkula.
Inflated electricity bills, power cuts, delayed release of Tubewell connections, which are around 75,000 so far and inadequate infrastructure of power generation as well as power purchase agreements were the key focus of both the leaders while interaction with workers in Townhall meeting held Panchkula’s Indradhanush auditorium.
While launching the scathing prime minister Narendera Modi-led government in Centre and Manohar Lal Khattar led government in Haryana, Kejriwal categorically justified the free electricity claims for New Delhi.
"Our intentions are clear. We are educated. While they never had any kind of will to improve situation in past 75 years.. What we are doing is giving back the hard earned money of citizens in terms of taxes. Hence, we are giving the free power and 24 hour supply as well," said Kejriwal.
We won New Delhi on the issue of power. Our government lasted for a month and half we fought again and made an impressive come back. Similarly, we contested Punjab on the issue of power and came to power. Now Haryana is next target, added Kejriwal while recalling the incident when claimed to have been requesting Sheila Dixit led Congress goveernemnt for power supply.
In what appears to be hitting two birds with one stone, Kejriwal targeted Khattar as well as PM Narendera Modi on the issue of power purchase agreement with Adani power. "It was really surprising to see that a government which entered into the agreement of 25 years for supply of power for Rs 2.94 paisa per unit was forced to increase the rate to Rs 3.24 paisa that too by reducing power supply. Rest is being done with short term arrangements on higher traits," said Kejriwal, while urging the workers to ensure that they reach out to villagers to educate them about wrongs of power supply in state.
Meanwhile, speaking to those present on occasion, Bhagwant Maan claimed that at least 80% electricity consumers have got zero bill. While referring to resources, Maan claimed as to how government is planning to take over one private power generation plants and has revived the state owned coal mine in Jharkhand.
"It is really shameful that one hand plans are made to travel in space but on the other hand Haryana is a state where people are forced to struggle for electricity," said Maan. Meanwhile, Maan flayed PM Modi while accusing the union government of selling of public undertaking to their corporate friends.
While urging those present to make Bijli Andolan a mass movement in Haryana, Maan also asked them to given example of Punjab and New Delhi.
Prominent among those who addressed included AAP Haryana President Sushil Gupta, State Campaign committee head Ashok Tanwar, Senior vice president Anurag Dhanda and Vice president Chitra Sarwara.
