Congress vs BJP vs AAP: The battle for Delhi begins

Delhi is headed for a triangular contest as it goes for polls on December 4.

A day after the announcement of election dates, the ruling Congress, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the new entrants, the Aam Aadmi Party turned up the heat as they went about making allegations and counter-allegations.

Here’s what they have been talking about:

On corruption in administration:

Arvind Kejriwal: "Our focus is to get rid of corruption. If you mock the public, the public can throw you out of power."

BJP: "The biggest proof was given by the Lokayukta in which they had said that Rs 22 crore belonging to the people which was utilized by her in advertisements and Rs 11 crore needs to be returned. This is a judicial indicment. No further proof is necessary. The Sunglu committee, CAG and PAC have criticised her (Dikshit). And we will take up these scams from time to time. When BJP government comes, we will give all the proofs from these files to Sheila Dikshit."

Sheila Dikshit: "Both BJP and AAP have been defaming us by alleging that there has been corruption in our government. If you have come across cases of corruption, then please tell us where is the corruption? Nobody becomes corrupt if you keep repeating the charges. I challenge them to give us proof of graft. We will take action."

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On Election Issues:

Sheila Dikshit: "The government has provided a substantial subsidy on consumption of electricity of up to 400 units per month. The government is committed to providing foodgrains at highly subsidised rates to 73 lakh persons under the Food  Security Programme. We have changed the face of the city in the last 15 years. We ensured inclusive growth. We've always worked on three principles: that there should be development but, at the same time, it should be pleasant and sensitive. We do not know what they are saying. We do not know what their policies are. If they want to bring reform, then how will they do so?"

BJP: "The (Delhi) government had promised 24X7 electricity at cheap rates. People allowed private companies to come so that theft is prevented. But electricity rates did not become cheaper and these private companies still have to pay thousands of crores of rupees to those companies where they draw the electricity from. When mobile call rates can come down from Rs 16 to 30 paise, similarly by encouraging compeition between power companies, the power tarrifs can be lowered by more than 30 per cent.... We will invite six companies and people will have a choice to take electricity from those who provide cheaper rates."

Arvind Kejriwal: "The elections this time also is going to be bipolar. But instead of Congress and BJP being the poles, this time, Congress and BJP are one pole while AAP is the other. If this is not the case then why did the BJP not protest against the hike in power tariff?"

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On Poll prospects:

Sheila Dikshit: "People of Delhi are well aware of my government's performance. We are going to the polls with confidence and conviction. Even if some people say we will not win a fourth term, I am confident that Congress will definitely come out victorious."

BJP: "We will go to the people in the elections in Delhi with the issue of corruption and maladministration under Congress rule. We will prepare a charge sheet on it. The anointment of Narendra Modi has galvanized the party cadres in Delhi who were already charged up to end the 15-year misrule of Congress."

Arvind Kejriwal: "Congress and BJP are two face of the same coin as BJP is not against the Congress or Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, but they both are campaigning against AAP. The (Delhi election) results will amaze everybody. It will be a government of the people, by the people, for the people."

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On Lokpal Bill:

Arvind Kejriwal: "Election dates have been announced and by December 15 we will form the government and on December 29 a special session (of the assembly) would be called at Ramlila ground, where Anna Hazare was on 11-day long fast unto death for Janlokpal Bill, and the Bill would be adopted there. You may laugh at it, but we are not empty claims. Our confidence comes from result of surveys which we have done to assess the mood of voters in the national capital.”

BJP: “What we announced earlier, the smaller parties are saying now... We have said that Lokpal Bill will be brought by us... The government has done nothing on this. We will bring a stronger Lokpal Bill.”

Sheila Dikshit: We guess we will have to wait for some more time till she comes up with a stand on the controversial issue.