Ready to teach CM Khattar for free how to run Haryana govt, says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday advised Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to learn from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the capital on how to efficiently run a state and improve infrastructure.

The AAP convener was in Rohtak to take part in a Kanwar Yatra that was organised by the Haryana wing of his party.

Addressing a news conference later, Kejriwal showered praises on his government in Delhi highlighting that his government, formed almost at the same time as Khattar’s, was doing much better than Haryana despite repeated hurdles put forth by the BJP.

“Both the AAP government in Delhi and BJP government in Haryana were formed around the same time. But I feel sad for Haryana. While AAP models are being praised and implemented all over the world, Haryana people don’t even have basic facilities of electricity and water. When we can improve education in government schools and open low-cost state-of-the-art hospitals without Centre’s support, why can’t the Khattar government do anything good for Haryana despite having all the resources?” Kejriwal asked.

“I think either CM Khattar does not know how to run the government, or he has no intentions of doing good for the people. If it is the former, then I’m ready to teach him for free, how to improve education in government schools; how to build Mohalla Clinics; how to reduce rates of electricity — I will teach him all of this, and he can still implement our models in the one year that is left,” he added.

‘Don’t have any powers in Delhi’

Calling himself ‘Adhe rajya ka ek chauthayi mukhyamantri’ (one-fourth CM of a half-state), Kejriwal attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “snatching all powers from him”. He said even those departments that were under the Delhi government during ex-CM Sheila Dixit’s time were taken away from him by the PM.

“One by one, he snatched away all my powers. When we were voted to power for 49 days, we had sent 32 officials in jail for corruption. But when we came back with full majority, PM Modi immediately sent paramilitary forces to our anti-corruption bureau and took it over from us. All other powers of transferring and suspending officials were also snatched,” he said.

He, though, said that the recent Supreme Court order has been helping their government.

‘Will not be PM face’

Dodging the question on a united opposition, Kejriwal said he did not believe in the politics of ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) but rather wanted to resolve people’s issues. He, though, maintained that he was not running for Prime Minister. “It’s for big people. I’m too far from even thinking about it,” he claimed.

Attacking PM Modi, Kejriwal said even his die-hard fans, “or Bhakts”, cannot recount any of his achievements. “Demonetisation, GST have all been failures. People have been harassed by these moves rather than getting any advantage from them,” he said.

‘Stand on SYL canal clear’

Stating that he has been misquoted often on his stand on the SYL, Kejriwal said he only wants the Supreme Court order to be implemented. “Both the BJP and Congress have had the chance to amicably resolve the issue. But they did not, because they want this politics to go on. The justice will be served when the SC order is implemented,” he said.