AAP against crony capitalism, not capitalism, says Arvind Kejriwal at CII meet

Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal yet again chanted the anti-corruption mantra when he was expected to spell out the Aam Aadmi Party`s economic policies at the Confederation of Indian Industry meet in the capital on Monday. Addressing heads of corporate houses, he said, “When corruption ends, cost of doing business will go down and employment will be created.” Largely perceived as an anti-industry party owing to its run-ins with discoms and large business houses, Kejriwal tried to make AAP`s stand clear over economic policies ahead of the General Elections and said he was `not against capitalism but against crony capitalism.` He counted his achievements during his party`s 49-day-long tenure in Delhi while assuring CII members that countering corruption was the only way out and AAP`s actions were indeed justified. The former Delhi CM said, “We ordered an audit in power companies within five days and people say we can`t govern.” “Independent surveys have said corruption in Delhi has gone down,” he said pointing out the efficacy of his methods. Citing instances of corruption in the system that need to be uprooted, Kejriwal said, "Crores of rupees were spent on cleaning the Yamuna (river), I feel a new Yamuna could have been made in that much money." He said politicians were hampering the growth of businesses in the country and said, "Until politics is fixed, economic policies won`t work." Harping on AAP`s ideology of `swaraj` or handing power in the hands of the aam janta, added, "Sarkaar vikaas nahi karti, log vikaas karte hain. (Government doesn`t bring in development, people do)." He said whatever the form of government, it has three primary tasks - providing security, justice and a corruption-free administration. "Unfortunately, no party speaks of these things, which are essential for doing business. It is the Aam Aadmi Party that has come for the first time speaking of providing security, giving justice and a corruption-free administration." Saying that business people are creating wealth and employment for the nation, Kejriwal said a two-fold move was required to promote this. "Existing procedures and rules need to be revisited and required to be changed and simplified. Secondly, policies have to be made on a proactive basis that encourage, rather than discourage business," he said. Kejriwal blamed misgovernance in the country and spelled out the need for radical reforms. “We are first class citizens victims of third class governance,” he said. “We may have made mistakes. Our policies may be wrong. But our intention is right. We want to make a new India,” he said. Reaching out to the corporates, he added, “Please join us and help us when we are wrong, be a part of our movement.”