New Delhi: As the Aam Aadmi Party marked its 50 days in government in Delhi by re-launching an anti-corruption helpline, the Congress’ Ajay Maken took a dig at the Arvind Kejriwal-led party by claiming AAP has become a party of VIP and VVIPs.
“Just passed through the Talkatora Stadium- Look at the pictures- How in just 50 days AAP became a party of VIP&VVIP?” Maken tweeted.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which re-launched the ‘1031’ anti-graft helpline from the Talkatora Stadium in Central Delhi, had put up hoardings of VIP and VVIP parking at many gates of the venue.
The stadium was full to its capacity crowd of 3000 people, with hundreds of people waiting outside. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, along with AAP’s 67 MLAs and different heads of departments and secretaries in Delhi government, used the VVIP parking. For the other people present at the venue, parking was accessible through different gates.
Justifying the VVIP and VIP hoardings, AAP leader Adarsh Shastri said the VIP parking was for efficient governance.
“We do not endorse VIP culture but certain things are required for the smooth and efficient working of the government,” said Mr Shastri, who is a legislator from Dwarka.
Another leader Dilip Pandey said, “There was no difference between VVIPs and common people during AAP function. There could be some protocol of party. We have broken the trend of VIP culture.”
AAP has always prided itself in being a party of common men and has repeatedly said it will end the notorious VIP culture in Delhi. “Do you like it when a minister blocks a road… and the car’s siren beeps? We want to end VIP culture,” Mr Kejriwal had said when he took oath as chief minister in February.
Meanwhile during the event, inside the auditorium over 1,500 people waited anxiously for a glimpse of Kejriwal. In many rows more than two people were squeezed into one seat and the stairways and the passages were also packed. Music and dance performances kept the audience entertained till Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, along with Satyendra Kumar Jain finally reached the stage.
Sloganeering and applause greeted the AAP government for their initiative. Slogans like, ‘bhrashtachar ka ek hi kaal Kejriwal’, ‘Kejri tum sangharsh karo hum tumhare saath hain’ and ‘vande mataram’ echoed around the auditorium as Kejriwal announced the initiative and said that the helpline will allow every Delhiite to be a crusader of corruption.
“We came here to know how the new government is planning to uproot corruption from our system. This will surely encourage more and more people who face blatant demands of bribes to report the matter,” said Manish Aggarwal, who had come to the venue directly from the railway station.
Amid all this, a man, trying to get on to the stage to meet Kejriwal to submit a complaint was allegedly shoved aside by party volunteers.
“I had filed a complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act on February 16 but despite several letters to the CM no action was taken. In fact while they are promising anonymity to complainants through this helpline, the official that I complained against was the same person who was deputed to look after my case. The promises of removing corruption are a mere eyewash by this government,” said Amit Bhargava, who also alleges that he was taken aside and manhandled by bouncers.?
