Published 20:00 IST, June 4th 2019
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's decision of free metro and bus travel for women hailed by Shatrughan Sinha, here's his statement
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has come out in support of the AAP-led Delhi government's decision to make metro and bus rides free for women in the national capital.Â
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has come out in support of the AAP-led Delhi government's decision to make metro and bus rides free for women in the national capital.
In a series of tweets, Sinha mentioned and applauded the decision. Some other decisions where Sinha, now with the Congress, praised the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal administration include free water for all, cut down on electricity bills, Mohalla Clinics and motorcycle ambulances. In his tweets, Sinha also praised the party's 2019 Lok Sabha election candidates Atishi Marlena and Kailash Gahlot.
Sinha goes on to name a number of AAP leaders, reserving praise for them individually, and also raising past undertakings of the Kejriwal government:
Finally, Sinha, who contested and lost the Lok Sabha election for the prestigious Patna Sahib constituency to his once-partymate Ravi Shankar Prasad by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes, also made a suggestion of his own:
Arvind Kejriwal had made the announcement on Monday citing concerns over the safety of women, and also said that his government had floated a tender for the installation of 1.5 lakh CCTV cameras. However, the free metro and bus travel announcement was called out by rival parties who highlighted that it had come with just 10 months to go before the Delhi Assembly elections. BJP Delhi President Manoj Tiwari hit out at Kejriwal, calling the decision a poll gimmick and highlighting how the AAP had lost ground and was taking the freebie route to attempt a comeback. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, AAP was defeated by the BJP in each of Delhi's seven constituencies.
"People must understand the lies of Arvind Kejriwal and should not come under the effect of his words. He has not done anything in five years, what will he do in 3 months. He has not allowed the implementation of Ayushman Bharat. I demand and request him that in your last months of rule implement Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana."
Tiwari also questioned the AAP's promises to install free Wi-Fi and open 500 schools.
Delhi Congress spokesperson Jitendar Kochar, meanwhile, also dubbed Kejriwal's move as 'publicity stunt'. Kochar stated that the Delhi government should make metro and bus services free for students and senior citizens.
Updated 21:38 IST, June 4th 2019