Coming down heavily at PM Modi and the Centre over the "free revdi" remark, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed the union government for waiving off debts "worth Rs 10 lakh crore" of those he alleged were close to the government. A law should be brought in to declare this treason and all those involved should be sent behind bars, he fumed.
Accusing the BJP of 'dostvaad' (favouring friends) and Congress of 'parivarvaad' (dynastic politics) without naming them, the Aam Aadmi Party chief said his party is trying to usher 'Bharatvaad' (Indianness).
Mr Kejriwal questioned why should only ministers get free electricity and not ordinary citizens. "What's wrong in providing free water, free education?" he asked, and attacked the Centre for calling them freebies while writing off massive corporate debts.
He claimed an atmosphere is being created against free government welfare services by terming them freebies, rather than planning to strengthen them in the 75th year of independence.
In an online briefing, a visibly agitated Mr Kejriwal demanded the Centre provide quality education and healthcare for free, 300 units of electricity to every household, and also offer an unemployment allowance.
"These people waived off the loans of Rs 10 lakh crore of their friends. Such people should be called traitors and investigation carried out against them," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month cautioned people against what he called a "revdi (sweet) culture" under which votes were sought by promising freebies and said this could be "very dangerous" for the development of the country.
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