New Delhi: Holding the BJP Government at the Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party Government in Delhi responsible for the rise in the prices of all essential commodities, including cooking gas, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Shri Mukesh Sharma said that both these parties were protecting black marketeers and hoarders, and that was the reason for prices sky-rocketing in the Capital. Shri Sharma mocked the Delhi Government quoting the Congress party’s slogan that “Mehnge Beete 5 Saal, Ab Bas Karo Kejriwal”, “Kejriwal Sarkar Kare Bichorliyo Se Pyar”, “Chalo Kare Inki Vidai, AAP or Mehngai”
Addressing a press conference at the DPCC office, Rajiv Bhawan, here today, Shri Mukesh Sharma asserted that the bugle has been sounded for the exit of the Kejriwal Government, but Congress will not act in haste and take its steps after careful consideration. He said that Kejriwal was looking for candidates from other parties as his party’s volunteers have deserted him, so he is stooping to enroll rejects from other parties to the AAP fold. He asserted that Congress will form a Government in Delhi on its own might.
Quoting RTI replies, Shri Mukesh Sharma said that the Kejriwal Government has failed to control prices of essential commodities, including pulses and vegetables, in the last five years. He said that despite the prices of onions soaring to Rs 250 per kg, no raid was conducted on hoarders and black marketeers; neither any action was taken against these people. He said that in the last five years, the prices of pulses have doubled, cooking oil, bread, onions, potatoes and green vegetables have also seen incessant price rise, but the Kejriwal and Modi Governments were keeping quiet. He said that even now, the prices of onion are high, over Rs 100 per kg. Shri Sharma said that AAP Party has been getting funds from hoarders and black marketeers. (Copies of RTI replies and input notes are attached).
Shri Mukesh Sharma said that cooking gas prices have gone up by Rs 337 per cylinder in the last five, while the prices of IGL piped gas prices have also gone up by Rs 67 which has broken the backs of the middle class people. He charged that to increase the prices of Amul milk, Mother Dairy hiked the prices of milk seven times in the past five years. He said that milk prices in Delhi have gone up by Rs 14 per litre as the BJP and AAP Governments have snatched away milk from the common people.
Shri Mukesh Sharma asked the Modi Government whether this was the meaning of “Acchche Din”. He said that price rise will be a major issue in the coming Assembly elections as the people of Delhi are fed up and they are waiting for a chance to elect Congress back to power.
Replying to a question, Shri Sharma said that AAP seems to be short of volunteers as they have deserted it dissatisfied with Kejriwal, and fearing defeat, Kejriwal was recruiting those people who have been rejected by other parties, including those who were denied tickets by the Congress, in a bid to win an already lost battle. Shri Sharma said that it has become clear that AAP does not have enough candidates to be fielded in all the 70 Assembly seats in Delhi. He challenged Kejriwal to field all his sitting MLAs and if he dares to do that, then he would be sitting in the Opposition.
Shri Mukesh Sharma, replying to another question, said that the Congress party has already received 683 applications from dedicated party workers for the 70 Assembly seats, asserting that the party will field only those candidates who are acceptable to the people in their constituencies and have winning chances. He said that the first list of the Congress candidates will be released in a day or two.
