VIP and VVIP parking hoardings were put up near Talkatora Stadium
As the Aam Aadmi Party marked its 50 days in government in Delhi by re-launching an anti-corruption helpline today, the Congress' Ajay Maken took a dig at the Arvind Kejriwal-led party by claiming AAP has become a party of VIP and VVIPs.
"Just passed through the Talkatora Stadium- Look at the pictures- How in just 50 days AAP became a party of VIP&VVIP? (sic)" Mr Maken tweeted.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which re-launched the '1031' anti-graft helpline from the Talkatora Stadium in Central Delhi, had put up hoardings of VIP and VVIP parking at many gates of the venue.
The stadium was full to its capacity crowd of 3000 people, with hundreds of people waiting outside. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, along with AAP's 67 MLAs and different heads of departments and secretaries in Delhi government, used the VVIP parking. For the other people present at the venue, parking was accessible through different gates.
Justifying the VVIP and VIP hoardings, AAP leader Adarsh Shastri said the VIP parking was for efficient governance.
"We do not endorse VIP culture but certain things are required for the smooth and efficient working of the government," said Mr Shastri, who is a legislator from Dwarka.
Another leader Dilip Pandey said, "There was no difference between VVIPs and common people during AAP function. There could be some protocol of party. We have broken the trend of VIP culture."
AAP has always prided itself in being a party of common men and has repeatedly said it will end the notorious VIP culture in Delhi.
"Do you like it when a minister blocks a road... and the car's siren beeps? We want to end VIP culture," Mr Kejriwal had said when he took oath as chief minister in February.