AAP's Delhi Convenor Gopal Rai is confident that the Kejriwal government's pro-people schemes will power it back to power in the February eight Assembly elections. Rai says CM Arvind Kejriwal's image as an honest leader is a big plus point for the party.
In an exclusive interview with The WEEK, Rai, who is also Minister for Employment, Development and Labour in the Delhi government, also says that the BJP, through its emphasis on CAA in the run-up to the state polls, is trying to communalise the election.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. The AAP's campaign is based on the work done in the last five years. What makes you think it will click with the voters?
A. For the first time, people can see that the promises made to them have been fulfilled. The government did more for them than was promised. Our promise in the previous election was to halve the electricity rates. But 200 units of electricity was made free. Doorstep delivery of services was implemented. It was not amongst our promises. Free travel for women in public transport was again not originally promised. Free pilgrimage for senior citizens was again not amongst our promises. So for the first time, there is a government that has done more than it had promised.
Q. The AAP's campaign is centred around CM Kejriwal.
A. Arvind Kejriwal's face and his honesty is a big factor working in our favour. The people feel, here's an educated chief minister who is working with honesty. Numerous obstacles were erected by the Central government and despite that, he worked on and succeeded in delivering on his promises to the people.
Q. The AAP did not do well at all in the Lok Sabha elections just a few months back.
A. The Lok Sabha election was for forming the government at the Centre, in which we could not have played a very big role. The Vidhan Sabha election is to form a government in Delhi, where we are a key point.
Q. How do you look at the campaigns of your challengers — the BJP and the Congress?
A. The Congress lacks a campaign in Delhi. After Shielaji's death, nothing is left of the Congress in Delhi. Their promises, like giving Rs 6000 as pension and 600 units of power free do not sound credible. Why did they not do it when they were in power?
As for the BJP, it is in a state of utter confusion. It is not able to understand whether to fight the Vidhan Sabha election on local issues or national issues. So sometimes they talk about nationalism, then they realise it is a local election so start talking about unclean water.
The BJP has been in power in MCD for the last 15 years. The condition of the works that they are supposed to do is for the entire Delhi to see.
Q. How do you look at the assaults on students in Jamia and JNU?
A. The political aspect of the issue is that CAA is against the Constitution and not in the best interests of the country. And the second issue is that the BJP has failed badly to maintain law and order in the capital. And especially since Amit Shah has become Home Minister, the situation has gone from bad to worse.
Q. There is criticism of the AAP not having joined the protests.
A. We are opposed to CAA-NRC. But we feel the BJP has no issue left, so it wants to give a communal colour to the election. And we do not want that to happen. We feel that people can always let their opinion on the issue known by exercising their democratic right to vote. This is what the people of Jharkhand did.
Q. Will CAA-NRC be implemented in Delhi?
A. The people of Delhi are concerned about it. Our stand on these issues is clear. We voted against CAA in the Rajya Sabha. We are not in favour of anything that violates the spirit of our Constitution. Right now, Model of Code is in force in Delhi. Decisions will be taken after the new government is in place.
