Punjab Elections 2017: Congress leader releases RTI records listing Kejriwal's 'failed promises'

DNA: Chandigarh: Thursday, February 02, 2017.

Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Wednesday cautioned people of Punjab against voting for an "inexperienced leader" like Arvind Kejriwal who has "failed to deliver on any of his promises" in Delhi.

Releasing purported RTI documents at a press conference, Maken said despite having promised 5 lakh jobs in Delhi, the Kejriwal government, as per these records, has given only 417,176 and 102 jobs respectively in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

"Yet, this record notwithstanding, the Aam Aadmi Party was promising 25 lakh jobs for the unemployed youth of Punjab," he said, adding it was clearly a "false promise" aimed at garnering votes.

Countering Kejriwal's claim to wipe out drugs from Punjab within four months a promise he has evidently "copied" from the Congress - Maken pointed out that the RTI records show that the AAP government in Delhi had spent a minuscule Rs 16,000 on drug eradication programme in the past two years.

In fact, in this period, as many as 399 additional liquor vends have opened in the national capital, giving a lie to Kejriwal s tall claims on this count, he said.

"With four of the six ministers facing bribe charges, how can Kejriwal claim to eliminate corruption from Punjab," asked Maken, citing several other examples of "deception perpetrated on Delhi's people by AAP, including failure to end VIP culture and bring in Jan Lok Pal Bill".

The people of Delhi have "lost all faith" in Kejriwal, he pointed out.

Maken said only Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh could be trusted to give a strong and stable leadership to Punjab, with its sensitivities arising out of being a border state.

"Don't make the mistake that Delhi's people made and are regretting," he added.

Maken expressed concern over the Bathinda car blast, saying KCF seems to be involved in the incident.

He cautioned the voters of Punjab against experimenting with a "new and novice government", especially considering the prevailing situation.

Drug proliferation usually leads to terrorism, he warned, adding that Punjab needed an experienced government, which only the Congress could provide.

Responding to questions, Maken dismissed as "old wine in new bottle" the Union Budget, saying the people were expecting higher income tax exemption levels.