Kejriwal Hits Back at ‘Freebies’ Criticism, Promises Delhi-like benefits to Haryana

New Delhi, Sep 03, 2023: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has responded to remarks made by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding ‘freebies.’ With an eye on the upcoming Haryana assembly polls in 2024, CM Kejriwal confidently stated that the people of Haryana will soon enjoy the benefits of these giveaways.

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), CM Kejriwal stated, “Khattar Sahab! We provide free and world-class education and health services in Delhi. We provide free electricity and water around the clock. We have started these facilities in Punjab, too, and the public is happy with us. Soon, the people of Haryana will also get the benefit of freebies.”

The exchange of words began when Haryana CM Khattar interacted with beneficiaries of the CM’s Pariwar Antyodaya scheme and criticized certain political parties, indirectly alluding to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), for their emphasis on freebies.

CM Khattar remarked, “There are many parties that raise slogans like ‘get this for free, get that for free’… Instead of inculcating the habit of freebies, our government’s priority is to fulfil the needs of a working person, enhance his skills and develop him.”

It’s important to note that during the Gujarat assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the AAP of engaging in ‘freebies’ politics and coined the term ‘Revdi politics’ (freebies politics) to describe the party’s approach.

The AAP and the BJP engaged in a war of words during the Gujarat polls, with the AAP making promises of government schools, free electricity, access to water, and free healthcare in Gujarat if voted into power.