New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday flew business class to Dubai, drawing severe criticism from the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The AAP has come strongly defended its convenor saying that the business class tickets were provided by the organisers.
Kejriwal flew to Dubai to attend a felicitation event where he will receive the award for Asia's most inspiring and young social change maker at the World Brands Summit.He will also address the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
The AAP chief is on a five-day visit to Dubai and New York.
During his US visit Kejriwal will interact with the Indian community. Besides, he is expected to address a gathering of students during his two-day stay in New York.
Kejriwal, a former bureaucrat, is known for his simple lifestyle even when he became the Delhi Chief Minister. He preferred to travel in his Blue Wagon R and opted for a flat as his official accommodation.
Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said when he met the former chief minister of Delhi at the Republic Day parade, he was surrounded by policemen.
"I had a privilege of taking his photograph and asking Mr Kejriwal- 'You are a common man and you are surrounded by 60 odd Delhi Police personnel'," Rudy said.
"They do not have any agenda anymore and it is merely a lip service and he stands thoroughly exposed because he does not have anything to speak now. He is a man who prefers to fly business class and that is not very unusual and the people of Delhi must know this," Rudy said.
Congress too mounted attack on Kejriwal, saying his real face has been exposed.
"AAP is completely exposed and the real face of the party has been revealed. AAP does not do what it says and does what it does not say. On one hand they talk about the common man and on the other their chief travels in the business class to collect donation. This clearly shows the intention of the party," Congress spokesperson Shoba Oza said.
Meanwhile, Twitter war has simmered over Kejriwal's business class travel. Here's what some people had to say:
#KhaasAadmi whether he should fly business on donation money is AAPs internal issue. The real issue is that this award ceremony is a farce
— Vivek Saraf (@vivsaraf) December 5, 2014
Dear @ArvindKejriwal Why are u trying to fool people with your false modesty? Please don't insult our intelligence #KhaasAadmi
— Archie (@Archu243) December 5, 2014
Big deal he did not want red Batti car but had no issues buying Foreign car ! Kerjriwal #KhaasAadmi is a fraud !
— Jasumati (@JasumatiPatel) December 5, 2014
Sad that so called Aam Aadmi is using poor people's donations to become #KhaasAadmi ! #MufflerMan @anilkohli54 #Delhi pic.twitter.com/haA3dMHnRS
— tarun (@dreamthatworks) December 5, 2014
#KhaasAadmi Kejriwal should understand this simple thing in life.. pic.twitter.com/IqxZ5RFqMa
— Lag gaye...!! (@NitzPsl) December 5, 2014
