"Once Delhi polls are over, AAP relevance in national politics will be over too"
Late Sheila Dikshit ji did miracles in Delhi. We can again do:
Congress leader Rajesh Sethi
(A brief interview with Rajesh Kumar Sethi, national coordinator AICC Minority Dept In-charge of Manipur and Observer for Trinagar Assembly, Delhi polls)
# Is Congress really relevant for the 2025 assembly polls in Delhi? People are generally talking about a battle between the BJP and the AAP?
Rajesh Sethi: Late Sheila Dikshit ji did miracles in Delhi. We can again do. She worked on a proper balanced development of Delhi. Your assessment about AAP and BJP will simply fail.... I tell you. Flyovers came and those changed the face of Delhi. The power situation under Congress improved drastically. We in the Congress work on balanced formula... We focus on population, pollution, infrastructures, empowerment, social justice and harmony.
#You have started campaigning in the capital especially Trinagar. Any comment on AAP's 10 year rule in Delhi ?
Rajesh Sethi: In contrast to what Sheila Dikshit government delivered and achieved for Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal's party is for all gimmicks and sensationalism as you all understand these things better in media.
This is why there is nothing much about AAP's 10-year rule. I can tell you today, AAP's arrogance has been extreme. They were part of INDIA bloc and yet they did not have the manner and courtesy to behave.
Once Delhi polls are over, AAP relevance in national politics by Feb 8 to 10th will be over too.
The BJP is other extreme. They have a leader, they try to project him as a demi God ... someone who promised Acchey din. But the reality is different.
# On Jan 29th, 2025, the Congress party released its manifesto. What's so special about it? We find only competition on freebies ... you are also following Kejriwal formula. Is this a 'new model' of governance?
Rajesh Sethi: Yes, the Congress has released its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election...You are absolutely wrong, we are not following freebies formula of the AAP. Our election manifesto is a collection of Guarantees. I have said we want balanced development. We take care of all sections of people. We are promising reservations for transgenders in jobs and education.
We have said citizens will get 300 units of free electricity and a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 for women. Moreover, going by our policy decision, we have said there will be a caste census in the national capital if Congress comes to power.
# There were a few more special promises.
Rajesh Sethi: True, among other key promises by Congress are free health coverage up to Rs 25 lakh for all Delhi residents, a one-year apprenticeship with a Rs 8,500 stipend for unemployed youth, cooking gas at Rs 500 per cylinder. We have also said that there will be a free ration kit and a separate ministry for Purvanchalis. This will be game-changer in deciding the course of Delhi's politics and governance.
In addition, for Scheduled Castes, the Congress manifesto promises to create an atmosphere in which the values of the Constitution and the ideals of Babasaheb are upheld. There will be also allocation of 15 percent of government contracts to SCs.
# Any major feature of the Sheila Dikshit Govt you would like to highlight vis-a-vis contemporary politics?
Rajesh Sethi: Look, Sheila ji also worked for expansion of the Delhi Metro and flyovers and there was good understanding between her and the Vajpayee government.
For this I may give due credit to the then Prime Minister Vajpayee ji and also his ministers also including the likes of Jagmohan ji who handled Urban Development. Between the Kejriwal government and the centre there was no harmony. People of Delhi paid a heavy price for that.
#What about your campaign and the politics in Trinagar ?
Rajesh Sethi: We are a systematic organised party. I am the Observer for Trinagar Assembly seat. Me and my friend Kutoho Chishi, President of Dimapur District Congress Committee from Nagaland recently campaigned door-to-door in support of Congress candidate Satender Sharma in the Trinagar Assembly of Delhi. We are confident of winning this seat.
Our campaign line is very clear and simple -- the Congress party has consistently improved Delhi and it is the only party that can further develop the city.
In contrast, the BJP at the Centre and AAP in Delhi have only cheated the people of Delhi.
ends
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