The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party today slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for shamelessly defending his law minter and challenging the order of a special CBI court which indicted Bharati for tampering with evidence in a case of corruption. 
“This shameless defence of Bharati by Arvind Kejriwal is shocking. We want Bharati to be immediately removed. He is not fit to be the minister. A person who has been indicted for impropriety and adopting completely unfair and illegal means in a case of corruption by the court itself cannot be allowed to be minister,” said Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel.
 
“How can a Chief Minister exonerate a minister when he has been indicted by the court. Does Shri Kejriwal want to send a message that his party leaders are above law?  If he does not agree with the court verdict, he should go to the court. But the argument given so far in defence of Bharati is unacceptable,” he added.
 
The BJP will not relent till Bharati is removed from the post. His presence poses a grave danger to the rule of law in Delhi. A man who has been indicted by the court in such a serious offence is unfit to honour the oath that he took as minister. Earlier he tried to interfere in judiciary by seeking meeting of the district judges. He also misbehaved with his law secretary. However, all this has been ignored by AAP so far which shows their true colours.
 
Shri Goel said, “One should not be surprised by the shameless defence of a corrupt minister by Arvind Kejriwal as he is an expert in taking U-turn and defending the corrupt in the name of “aam aadmi”. He forged an alliance with Congress whose corruption was a key issue in assembly polls. He has not filed even a single complaint against any of the Congress leaders so far.”
 
In fact most of the AAP leaders have mastered the art of doublespeak. They have taken houses, SUVs with VIP numbers and have said that they do not have proof of corruption against Congress. This clearly shows that now in Delhi, it is Congress which is ruling Delhi through backdoor. And AAP has betrayed Delhiites by hobnobbing with them even after Delhi had rejected the misrule of Congress.

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party  President Shri Vijay Goel  today  announced that the party has set  20 committees in Delhi to prepare for the  National Council and National Executive  meeting of BJP on 17,18 and 19 January. More than 10,000 delegates from all over the country are likely to attend the National Council meeting. 
The BJP National President Shri Rajnath Singh along with other senior leaders of the party will hoist the flag to start the event. While the national executive meeting will be held at the NDMC convention centre, the national council meeting will be held at Ramlila Maidan.
 
“The party has set up committees to look after various aspects of organising this event. So we have committees on parking, food, security, reception, transport, media, sanitation, health, etc.  We are trying to ensure that the common people do not face any problem due to any of our programmes and there is smooth movement of traffic especially in the central Delhi area,” said Shri Goel.
 
The Delhi BJP is setting up special counters and registration desks for delegates at the railway stations and inter-state bus terminals in Delhi so that delegates coming from other states  do not face any problem.
 
“This is the second time in less than one year that we are getting this opportunity to hold the national council and the national executive. Earlier also the Delhi BJP had organised both the meets with great success. We are hoping that we will do even better this time,” said Shri Goel.
 
“We have assigned work to our legislators, councillors and various party office bearers and cadres in  Delhi BJP and the party  cadres are all geared up to make this even a huge success.  BJP’s flags, hoardings, banners etc. Will put up all over the city reminding the citizens that  all of us have to work together for betterment of the country by strengthening hands of BJP’s PM candidate Shri Narendra Modi ,” said Shri Goel.
 
Delhi BJP President’s greetings on occasion of Lohri,Makar Sakranti and Pongal
Delhi BJP President Sh. Vijay Goel has greeted Delhi’ites on the occasion of festivals of Lohri, which falls on 13th January, Makar Sankranti and Pongal, which fall on 14th January. Shri Goel said, “On the occasion of these festivals, I convey my greetings and best wishes to Delhi’ites and wish all  of them to have peace, harmony, prosperity, happiness and good governance.” 
 

With confusion prevailing over the power and water bills and massive power cuts The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party today slammed the AAP government for creating a crisis of governance in Delhi affecting common people. 
"The BJP will soon launch a 'Bijli Andolan' if corrective measures are not taken immediately," said Delhi BJP President Sh. Vijay Goel.
 
"The AAP government has failed to bring any clarity on issue of power. There is no step to repair the metres which are running fast. The CM has shifted the onus of responsibility for power cuts on the power companies as Delhiites suffer from long and unscheduled power cuts. Those consuming above 400 units per month will continue to pay high tariff. Taxpayers money is being given to power companies in the name of tariff," added Sh. Goel.
 
"The CM and his ministerial colleagues are busy in making populist statements and the administration has come to a halt. There is complete confusion and chaos in every sphere of governance. Instead of utilizing skills of officials they are being subjected to humiliation and arbitrary orders. This has led to a grave crisis of governance," he added.
 
The BJP will launch a ‘door-to-door' campaign if power tariff is not rationalized for all sets of consumers. Also all the power metres should be corrected immediately. The power companies should be penalized for power cuts," said Sh. Goel.
 
The AAP Government should focus on administration and not on political gimmickry. People of Delhi have been handed over a raw deal by the AAP-Cong alliance Government so far. The BJP will not tolerate this and continue to expose the unholy alliance between AAP and Congress.

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party today staged a dharna at Rajghat to expose the doublespeak of AAP government which has failed to fulfill its promises and is now resorting to various gimmicks to divert the attention from real issues including corruption and price rise. The dharna was held at Rajghat as this is the first place visited by Arvind Kejriwal after taking oath for the post of chief minister. This dharna is a reminder to him of the ‘false promises’ he made. 
The BJP workers gathered in large numbers at the Rajghat today to participate in dharna. They were wearing saffron caps with the slogan “Modi for PM” and held placards reminding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministerial colleagues to fulfil the promises which were made to the people. Those who participated the dharna included Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, former Delhi BJP Presidents Shri Mange Ram Garg and Shri Vijender Gupta.
 
Addressing the gathering senior BJP leader Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “The AAP is a proxy of the Congress. The alliance between these parties to form government in Delhi is a telling evidence of opportunism.  AAP leaders has refused to take action against Congress ministers and former Chief Minister in lieu of the support to form the government. Why a single complaint has not been filed against even a single Congress leader so far by the Delhi Chief Minister and his other colleagues?”
 
“Today we are wearing the saffron cap with slogan ‘Modi for PM’ to send a message that BJP with support of the people is committed to make Shri Narendra Modi the PM of the country. Saffron is a colour of sacrifice and struggle for the good of the society and that is what BJP stands for,” said Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel while addressing the dharna.
 
“The AAP has taken anti-national stand by supporting referendum in Kashmir and making baseless allegations about Batla House encounter. It has taken a communal stand by seeking support from leaders like Maulana Tauqeer Raza. In Delhi, it has not given benefit of power tariff reduction to all sections, water tariff has been hiked by 10%, there is no roll back of CNG and LPG prices which have skyrocketed,” he added.
 
“In fact the AAP indulging in gimmicks rather than making a serious difference at the ground level. In last 10 days, how many big fish including Congress leaders have been charged for corruption? Instead of streamlining the administration, the AAP is trying to create parallel administration of its volunteers to run schools, hospitals and other institutions. It is interfering with independence of judiciary and its ministers are behaving arrogantly. This is in stark contrast to the promises of simplicity and honesty,” he added.
 
“AAP is shying away from targeting Congress leaders as it has formed government with their support. Now it is asking BJP to provide proof for the corruption done by Congress leaders while the Chief Minister himself had earlier claimed to have been ready with 370 page chargesheet against the then Congress Chief Minister Shile Dikshit,” said  leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly,” Dr. Harsha Vardhan

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party today announced that it will hold a ‘Dharna’ at Rajghat on Friday to highlight the anti-national and anti-people policies of AAP.” Supporting referendum in Kashmir, raising doubts over Batla House encounter and now protecting Congress’ leaders in Delhi from corruption charges are a clear evidence of the opportunism of AAP.” 
Addressing a joint press conference today, the Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel and former Delhi BJP President Shri Vijender Gupta said, “The details of corruption done by Congress ministers and the Congress CM are there in the CAG reports, Shunglu Committee report and the judgments given by Lokayukta. What more proof is required for the Chief Minister Arving Kejriwal to move against them?”
 
“The fact is that after AAP formed as alliance with Congress to come to power, it has decided to put cases against Congress’ former ministers and former CM on backburner.  Otherwise there is no reason that even a single complaint has not been lodged against any of them during the last 10 days. The CM”
 
“It is the same Arvind Kejriwal who had come out with a 370 page charge sheet against the Congress. Had he really been honest about catching the big fish, he should have a lodged case against the former Congress ministers and the chief Minister during the last 10 days, But instead he is skirting the issue now by saying that the cases will be filed only after someone gives the proof of the graft by the Congress leaders,” said Shri Goel.
 
The BJP leaders said that most of the promises remain unfulfilled by AAP government. It has failed to check the rising prices in the city. In fact to add to woes of the people, it has hiked water tariff by 10% and has not been able to do anything on roll back of CNG promises despite making promises. The power tariff has been reduced for limited number of people while the promise was that reduction would be across the board. And In fact ever since the AAP-Congress alliance government has come to power, Delhi’ites are reeling under the pressure of price rise. There has been increase in water tariff, CNG prices and LPG prices.  Neither AAP, nor its alliance partner Congress, has made any move to provide respite to people of Delhi.
 
The BJP leaders also condemned the behaviour of some of its ministers. “We all know the way AAP ministers are behaving in an arrogant manner.  They have taken cars with VIP numbers, their chief minister was forced to quit a set of duplex after public furor, while another minister has taken two houses. It is very likely that other ministers will also take government accommodations.  It is clear that what they preach and practice does not match,” Shri Goel added.

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Vijay Goel today slammed the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not adhering to the deadlines declared for various initiatives and brushing cases against corrupt Congress leaders under the carpet. 

“He and his ministerial colleagues are playing to the gallery and not doing any serious work. Mere symbolism will not help and the situation on administrative front has worsened over the last 10 days in the Capital. The AAP-Congress alliance government is proving to be a disaster for Delhi’ites. ,”said Shri Goel.
 
Shri Goel said, “The Chief Minister should answer why he has taken a U-turn on issue of corruption by the previous Congress government? Why he is asking for proof of former CM Smt. Sheila Dikshit’s corruption now when so many reports indicting her are there? Instead of putting corrupt Congress leaders behind bars why is he giving such lame excuses?”
 
“It is clear that in lieu of getting support from Congress, the AAP has decided to let the ‘big fish ‘of Congress go scot free,” he added.  Congress and AAP are, in fact, natural partners for alliance as leaders of both the parties are masters of the art of doublespeak.
 
Listing the announcements made by AAP which have remained only on paper Shri Goel said, “The corruption helpline was promised to be functional within 48 hours and it has been more than a week after that. Similarly 45 night shelters were announced to be functional for the homeless in the capital in 48 hours but even after several days they have not been functional. In fact NGOs running these shelters are lamenting the undue interference of AAP workers.
 
The Chief Minister had announced that he will take action on CNG price hike but he seems to have forgotten that! The water tariff for lakhs of consumers has been increased by 10%. The so called ‘free water’ measure will not benefit majority of households in the city.
 
AAP had promised reduction in power tariff for all but lakhs of consumers who consume more than 400 units per month have not been provided any respite. In fact the hard earned money of tax payers is being used to further fill the coffers of private Discoms. This would further affect the development work on the projects.
 
Shri Goel said, “AAP ministers are travelling on SUVs with VIP registration numbers. So it is clear that claims to travel by public transport by these ministers and Kejriwal were merely sham.”

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Vijay Goel today condemned AAP leadership’s stand on Kashmir referendum issue terming the remark of a senior AAP leader as anti-national. This has hurt the sentiments of every Indian who considers Kashmir to be an integral part of India. 
“The window dressing done by certain AAP leaders saying that this is individual view of a leader is an inadequate response to such a scandalous remark by one its senior most leaders,” said Shri Goel.
 
This is not the first time that the AAP has taken an anti-national stand. The same leader had earlier supported referendum for plebiscite in Kashmir. An AAP legislator is on record when said on a TV interview on December 21 that Kashmir may be handed over to Pakistan. AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had raised questions about Batla House encounter in which a brave cop had laid down his life while fighting against terrorists.
 
“If AAP does not adhere to the view of its leaders on Kashmir then why it has not taken any action against them. Terming the statement as an “individual view” is not sufficient. There should have been action on the ground against such leaders to match the claims made by AAP leaders,” said Shri Goel.
 
The Delhi BJP President said that not only AAP even Congress has shown double standards on this issue. Even after such remarks on Kashmir, Congress is continuing with its support to AAP to run an alliance government. If Congress does not agree with AAP leaders’ stand on Kashmir then why it is continuing its support to AAP?

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Sh. Vijay Goel today said that the AAP government in Delhi has given an ‘unwelcome gift’ in the new year of 10% hike in water tariff   for majority of consumers.  More than 8 lakh households will be affected this hike as they will be forced to bear additional monthly burden of Rs 500-700 from January 1, 2014. The party demanded that it should be rolled back immediately. 
Sh. Goel said that the BJP leaders who are members of the Delhi Jal Board had registered a note of dissent on the proposed hike in water tariff from January 1, 2014 in the meeting of DJB held yesterday and chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejrwial.  But their dissent was brushed aside and the AAP government decided to go ahead with water tariff hike.
 
“The AAP is continuing with the anti-people clause inserted in DJB rules by the Congress government which increases 10% water tariff every year. The BJP has been demanding removal of this clause for quite some time. Neither the Congress government removed this clause and nor the AAP government is continuing with this clause despite BJP members in DJB asking for its removal.” The party demanded that this anti-people clause of increasing 10% water tariff every year should be removed immediately.
 
Meanwhile, commenting on the “free water” announcement, Sh. Goel said, residents of unauthorised colonies, JJ clusters and group housing societies will not get any benefit out of this and hence it is more of a ‘cosmetic’ announcement. Most of the jhuggis at JJ clusters do not have functional water meters, the unauthorised colonies   do not have piped water supply from DJB and the group housing societies are having a single water meter for the whole society so their consumption will obviously be much more than the prescribed limit though the average consumption of households might be lower than the prescribed limit.
 
In addition residents of Delhi Cantonment area and NDMC area also won’t get benefit of this announcement. It is clear, thus, that the majority of poor, lower and middle income groups will not get any benefit.  The fact is that there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed such as ensuring piped water supply  to all household, installing metres,  ensuring supply of clean water, repairing of metres which are malfunctioning.
 
It appears that the new Chief Minister is in a tearing hurry to make some announcements without doing due diligence.   Thus the CM has ignored the larger issue of “water tariff hike” and has tried to play to the gallery by making an announcement which actually would bring no benefit to common people of Delhi while not addressing the issue of water tariff hike which will affect majority of households in the city.
 
On AAP’s anti-media measures
 
Sh. Goel expressed dismay at the decision of AAP government to not allow journalists to enter Delhi govt secretariat on Monday. He said that he journalists should be allowed free entry to the secretariat as it has been the tradition.