Drawing parallels between his governance and Ram Rajya, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that they are providing good health, education and free water supply like the erstwhile kingdom. Kejriwal, a key leader of the INDIA bloc also said the consecration ceremony at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was a matter of pride for the country and world.
Speaking at Republic Day celebration organised by the Delhi government at Chhatrasal Stadium, Kejriwal said, “Lord Ram never discriminated on the lines of caste and religion, but society today has been divided on those lines. Inspired by ‘Ram Rajya', our government gives good education and health for all. Lord Ram never discriminated on the lines of caste and religion, but society has been divided on the same lines.”
Kejriwal said like in Ram Rajya, his government is respecting the elderly and they are doing so by increasing their pension and arranging free pilgrimages for them. On the consecration of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Kejriwal said that it is a matter of pride for the country and world. He added that people must adopt Lord Ram's life principles into their own lives.
However, making a veiled attack on the BJP’s claims of Ram Rajya, Kejriwal said, “In the last 75 years, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer. Bringing down inflation is part of the concept of 'Ram Rajya' followed by us. Delhi has minimum price rise as per central government reports. If people are suffering from price rise, we cannot say it's Ram Rajya.” He added the aim of having a $5 trillion economy is good only when the financial benefit reaches all poor people in the country.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on Thursday made a veiled attack on dynasty politics and said he never tried to promote persons from his family in politics. During an event to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of his ideologue and mentor Karpoori Thakur, Kumar said, “You all should remember that among other things, Karpoori Thakur will be remembered for never using his clout to promote his family. A marked contrast from many leaders of our times." Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur was posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna recently.
"I have drawn inspiration from him. You all know that I have never sought to promote any family members of mine," Nitish said, who is accused by detractors of tying up with "political dynasts" like Rahul Gandhi of the Congress and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, whom he has made his deputy. Thakur was honoured with
The comments come as rumours are abuzz about fissures within the Opposition’s grand INDIA alliance. Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her party will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state alone.
-with PTI inputs.