'Hardcore patriotism, diehard honesty and humanity - three pillars of AAP ideology': Arvind Kejriwal

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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday (March 29, 2022) accused the Centre of doing everything to stop his government from working for the people. Delhi CM also said hardcore patriotism, diehard honesty and humanity are the three pillars of the AAP's ideology and the 2022-23 Delhi budget reflects these. 

Delhi Chief Minister also said that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation has increased unemployment in the last few years.

During a discussion on the budget in the assembly, AAP's national convener said his government has prepared the "Rozgar Budget" to deal with the issue of unemployment as the Congress and the BJP "robbed" the country in the last 75 years. These parties have a long list of scams, he said.

Kejriwal also asserted that for the first time after independence that a "Rozgar Budget" has been presented by any government. 

"The budget presented in the assembly is not an ordinary document, it is historical. A 'Rozgar Budget' has been presented for the first time in independent India," Kejriwal said.

"The budget has been prepared to bring happiness to all. We have brought the 'Rozgar Budget' because of our ideology. Hardcore patriotism, diehard honesty and humanity are the three pillars of our (AAP's) ideology," he said.

After the discussion in the Delhi Assembly, while talking to the reporters, Kejriwal attacked the Centre, saying that the implementation of the GST and demonetisation coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the job scenario in the country.

"In the last few years, many incidents have happened due to which unemployment has increased (in the country). Such incidents include introduction of GST, demonetisation and coronavirus pandemic, and because of all this, people are very troubled," he said.

"Keeping all this in view, the 'Rozgar Budget' has been prepared by our government which promises to provide 20 lakh new jobs," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi government, in the budget, promised 20 lakh jobs in the next five years, he said in the House and added that many political parties do not dare to make such a promise even before an election.

"It's our commitment in the assembly. None had dared to give 20 lakh jobs even before elections. Our budget has a detailed plan of providing these jobs," Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said that he has lived in the slums to understand the pain and sufferings of people, and wants to better the lives of the poor and the common man.

Kejriwal said he is happy that God has given him the opportunity to do something for them.

"We are extremely happy to make the best quality hospitals and clinics for the poor and make healthcare free. I became CM but could not implement doorstep delivery of rations here. Pleaded in front of everyone I could to implement the ‘Ghar-Ghar Ration Yojna' but these people did not let me do it. Although I could not do it in Delhi, it has been implemented in Punjab now," Kejriwal, whose party stormed to power in Punjab in the recently-held assembly polls there, said.

He hit out at the Centre, saying it did everything to stop the AAP government from working for the public.

"They first stopped our mohalla clinic file for two months but we got that cleared somehow. Later, they hindered our CCTV installation project. I along with Gopal Rai (and other ministers) had to sit on a dharna at the Lt Governor's office to get this done. They strived to stop every work," Kejriwal said.

He also said corruption should be treated as treason and alleged that the list of corruption by the Congress and the BJP is long.

"They (Congress) did the 2G scam, coal block scam, Bofors scam, among others, while the other (BJP) did the Vyapam scam, Rafale scam etc. Corruption should be declared treason," he said.

"They have raided my house and office but did not get anything. Every single drop of our blood is dedicated for the country. This nation is paramount to me, I will persist till my last breath to empower and uplift my country," Kejriwal said.

(With PTI inputs)