New Delhi [India]: With less than a week left for the Delhi Assembly elections, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took sharp jibes at both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during a public rally in the Badli Assembly Constituency on Thursday.
Rahul Gandhi Attacks Modi and Kejriwal Over Governance, Yamuna Pollution
Rahul Gandhi specifically mocked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his unfulfilled promise of cleaning the Yamuna River, alleging that the AAP leader was misleading the public.
“Kejriwal ji, you talked about (cleaning/drinking) the water of Yamuna five years ago. Today, someone told me, that he is holding a press conference with the bottles of the water of the Yamuna,” Gandhi remarked.
Criticizing Kejriwal for his alleged dishonesty, he added:
“It is all hollowness. He speaks one lie after another. The way Modi ji speaks lies, Kejriwal ji also does it. There is no difference (between them). Probably, there is only one thing. Probably, Kejriwal ji is more clever than Modi ji.”
Holding a copy of the Indian Constitution in his hand, the Congress MP further emphasized:
“Do not forget one thing. Who is standing up with you? Who is saving the Constitution?”
Kejriwal Announces Seven Guarantees for Government Servants and Staff
On the same day, Arvind Kejriwal introduced a series of welfare measures for servants and staff working in government residences, unveiling seven guarantees aimed at their well-being.
The key announcements include:
- Servant Registration Portal – A new digital platform for job seekers and employers to register and match employment opportunities.
- Personal Staff Card – A government-issued identification card for personal staff, similar to official government employee cards.
- Servant/Staff Hostels – Establishment of dedicated hostels for staff to improve their living conditions.
- EWS Housing for Staff – Access to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) houses of the Delhi government for eligible workers.
- Mobile Mohalla Clinics – Mobile healthcare facilities specifically catering to government servants and staff.
- Regulation of Working Hours and Wages – Legal frameworks to ensure fair working hours, salaries, and employment conditions, with penalties for violations.
- Financial and Welfare Support – Inclusion in government welfare schemes, offering:
- ₹10 lakh life insurance
- ₹5 lakh health insurance
- ₹1 lakh assistance for daughters’ weddings
- Scholarships for children’s education
Kejriwal Condemns Exploitation of Government Servants
Highlighting the poor working conditions of government residence staff, Kejriwal criticized the current system, alleging that many workers are not paid salaries and instead work only in exchange for accommodation.
“In many government residences, whether they belong to officials or ministers, the staff working there face numerous issues. They have a union, and its members have gathered here today,” Kejriwal said.
Accusing some MPs of exploiting workers, he added:
“Whenever a government official, Member of Parliament (MP), or minister is allotted a bungalow, it comes with a servant quarter. However, 70-80% of workers do not receive a salary; they are made to work only in exchange for the servant quarter. This is a form of bonded labour. Moreover, several MPs have rented out their servant quarters for profit.”
Delhi Assembly Elections on February 5
With the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5 and vote counting set for February 8, the political atmosphere remains intense. While Rahul Gandhi took aim at both BJP and AAP over governance failures, Kejriwal sought to appeal to working-class voters with his new welfare schemes.
As the election date approaches, Delhi’s political landscape continues to witness heated debates and major policy announcements, with all parties vying for voter support.