Earlier this month, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal announced that if his party came to power in Goa, the state government would offer free pilgrimages to residents of the state. Kejriwal sought to woo Hindus (Ram Mandir in Ayodhya), Christians (Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu) and Muslims (Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan).
The AAP government in Delhi already offers a 'Tirth Yatra Yojana' that conducts pilgrimages for senior citizens.
On Sunday, Kejriwal made a similar promise to senior citizens in Uttarakhand as he was visiting Haridwar. Kejriwal was quoted by ANI as saying, “When AAP forms government in Uttarakhand, we'll begin Tirth Yatra Yojana here just like in Delhi. We'll facilitate free 'darshan' of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. For Muslims, we'll have the provision of visiting Ajmer Sharif and for Sikhs to Kartarpur Sahib. It'll be free.”
Kejriwal highlighted the success of the AAP government's health clinics, while taking a jibe at the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme.
“We've made treatment of all diseases free for people in Delhi. Even if you get a bill of Rs 60-70 lakh for treatment of any disease, Delhi government will facilitate free treatment in all its government hospitals and mohalla clinics. Then why is Ayushman needed? Ayushman Yojana is huge scandal. I don't want to criticise anyone right now. You can get survey done as to how many people got medical treatment under the scheme in Uttarakhand. It provides medical cover up to Rs 5 lakh to the beneficiaries,” Kejriwal told mediapersons.
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Earlier, Kejriwal interacted with auto-rickshaw drivers in Haridwar, including taking a ride in a rickshaw. Kejriwal said, “In 2020 Delhi polls, I had said to not vote for me if I hadn't worked. Nobody dares to say this before polls. Today I ask you to give us an opportunity, you'll forever stop voting for BJP and Congress.” Kejriwal claimed the auto drivers in Delhi considered him to be “their brother”.
The AAP is attempting to put up a stiff challenge to the Congress and BJP in three states where assembly polls are due next year: Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa. Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Punjab on Monday.