‘It is an art that only I know’: Kejriwal promises free electricity in Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday promised free electricity in Gujarat, on the lines of Delhi and Punjab, if the party is voted to power in the elections due later this year.
“I will return next Sunday with a solution to solve Gujarat’s electricity problem,” said Kejriwal, who is in poll-bound Gujarat for a two-day visit. He was speaking at a townhall here on the issue of electricity supply.
He referred to power cuts and frequent increases in power tariffs in the state and added that it is possible to cut bills without availing loans or introducing new taxes.
He referred to his party’s experiences in Delhi — where he is the chief minister — and Punjab where AAP was voted to power this year.
Governments of Delhi and Punjab provide 200 and 300 units respectively to each household.
“Providing free electricity is something like magic. It is an art that only I know. Nobody else in the country is doing it except AAP,” said Kejriwal.
Kejriwal said as soon as AAP assumed office in Delhi in 2013, power companies were warned against raising rates.
“We told them ‘we have nothing to do with how you dealt with the earlier governments, but our government is honest. We will not ask a single penny from you. In return, you should not raise electricity rates’. In last seven years, they have not raised rates.”
Kejriwal also accused ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of falsely claiming that Gujarat does not face power cuts. BJP spokespersons could not be reached for a comment.