On Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of engaging in a systematic campaign against state governments led by opposition parties and cautioning against arrogance.
Kejriwal joined a protest against the Union government organized at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar by leaders and lawmakers from Kerala’s Left Democratic Front, spearheaded by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal asserted, “Opposition parties govern half of the states and represent 70 crore people in the country. The BJP has initiated a concerted effort against opposition-ruled states, employing various tactics to harass these governments.” He highlighted instances of withholding rightful funds, interference through governors and LGs, and the utilization of central probe agencies against opposition leaders.
The Delhi chief minister emphasized that the leaders gathered at Jantar Mantar weren’t pleading for personal gains but demanding their states' rightful entitlements. “I am here to advocate for the rights of two crore people. Without adequate funds, how can we undertake infrastructure development and provide essential services like electricity?” questioned the AAP national convener.
Citing Punjab's ordeal, Kejriwal narrated how the state government had to resort to legal recourse for the release of rural development funds. He accused governors of encroaching upon state matters in opposition-ruled territories and alleged the misuse of agencies like the ED to target opposition figures. “They've arrested Hemant Soren; they can arrest me too. This abuse of power is a threat to democratic governance,” he warned.
Kejriwal also cautioned the BJP against hubris, reminding them of the transitory nature of political power. “One day, the tables might turn, and you might find yourselves in the opposition,” he remarked.
Asserting that the BJP-led central government aimed to undermine the federal structure, Kejriwal reiterated the importance of defending democracy. He lamented the necessity for Chief Minister Vijayan to abandon state affairs to protest against the Centre's overreach.
Kejriwal further accused the Centre of withholding funds from opposition-ruled states, citing Punjab's delayed allocation of Rs 5,500 crore in rural development funds. He criticized the Centre's reluctance to engage in dialogue until compelled by the Supreme Court, questioning the need for judicial intervention in routine administrative matters.
Finally, Kejriwal defended his party's governance against corruption allegations, pointing to the provision of essential services like water, electricity, healthcare, and education as evidence of his administration's integrity.
(With Agency Inputs)
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