Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday criticised his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma at a rally here over a multitude of issues including education, health and governance.
Kejriwal also criticised the Assam Chief Minister for his wife's decision to open a private school in the state.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor said: "I have heard that the Assam Chief Minister's wife has opened a private school where lakhs of rupees in fees were taken. This is very dangerous. If the Chief Minister's wife herself runs private schools, the state education system would soon collapse entirely."
He also claimed that these things earlier were happening in Delhi also.
"Every MLA and minister used to run private schools in Delhi once upon a time. They paralysed the education system and forced people to take admission to private schools with high fees. But we have changed the entire scenario, and you can see how Delhi government schools are performing now," Kejriwal said.
The Delhi Chief Minister also claimed that not a single MLA in the AAP is involved with private school businesses.
"If AAP comes to power in Assam, we will develop schools in this state like we did in Delhi," he said.
Kejriwal also drew a comparison between the performance of the BJP government in Assam and the AAP government in Delhi.
"In 2015, our party formed the government in Delhi, and Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power in Assam in 2016. You can see how we developed Delhi in all these years. We have built world-class schools and opened Mohalla clinics. The treatment and medicines are now free in Delhi. Nobody has to think about the treatment, whether he is rich or poor," the Delhi Chief Minister said.
Kejriwal further alleged that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has not done anything for the people of Assam in all these years except promoting 'Mafia Raj'.
"A paper leak happened in Assam a few days ago, but no punishment was given. This is because a syndicate is going on under the BJP's rule here. From coal to betel nuts, everything is controlled by mafias who have links with the ruling dispensation," the Delhi Chief Minister alleged.
He also claimed that the unemployment rate is very high in Assam, and Sarma failed on his promise to provide employment to the youth.
"I met some young people before arriving here. At least 22 lakh people are unemployed here, appealing for jobs, but nobody hears them. Himanta Biswa Sarma promised before the last election to provide jobs, but he miserably failed. At the speed at which he is providing employment, it would take a minimum of 100 years to deal with the unemployment issue in Assam," Kejriwal said.
He claimed that the Delhi government has given jobs to 12 lakh people. The AAP government in Punjab has created 28,000 jobs in just one year.
Kejriwal also took a swipe at Himanta Biswa Sarma for threatening to file a defamation suit.
The AAP leader said: "The people of Assam are very good. They offer good hospitality to guests, and this is the tradition here. But unfortunately, Himanta Biswa Sarma, even after becoming the Chief Minister of the state, could not learn the traditions of Assam."
"He (Himanta Biswa Sarma) has been threatening to lodge me in jail. Why? Am I a terrorist?" Kejriwal asked.
He also said: "Himanta Biswa Sarma may have issued threats against me, but I invite him to be my guest. I will drive him in my car to show him the schools and Mohalla clinics in Delhi."
Notably, earlier, Assam Chief Minister said that if Arvind Kejriwal called him corrupt during his Assam tour, he would lodge a defamation case against the AAP leader.
Sarma also called Kejriwal a coward.
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi asks FCI officials in Agartala to ensure efficient food storage; reviews implementation of Central schemes in Tripura
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, food and Public distribution and new and renewable energy Prahlad Joshi, who landed here at Agartala on a two-day visit to Tripura on Saturday chaired a review meeting to check the implementation of the Central government schemes.
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury rubbishes Manik Sarkar’s remark on Promo fest, says Left front fails to promote Tripura tourism
Reacting sharply on the remarks of the former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar over the Tripura tourism’s promo fest held recently across the state, the state tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Saturday said that the previous Left front government had failed to promote the Tripura tourism.
CM stresses need to stock rare blood groups, urges awareness on blood donation
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today emphasized the need to store negative blood groups in blood banks and stressed the importance of creating awareness about blood donation.
PM Modi to address first Parivartan Rally on Dec 29 ahead of Delhi polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will kickstart its poll campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing his first Parivartan Rally on December 29 in Rohini.
PM Modi condoles Bathinda bus accident, announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to kin of deceased victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of all the eight persons who lost their lives in a tragic bus accident in Bathinda, Punjab.
Home Minister Amit Shah lauds ITBP personnel for protecting border areas
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday night praised the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for safeguarding the border areas in challenging and difficult terrains and climates across the country.
Manipur: Assam Rifles provides training to over 600 to empower jobless individuals
Demonstrating its dauntless commitment towards empowering youths in violence-hit Manipur, the Assam Rifles has provided training to 660 men and women this year to upgrade their skills in various trades, officials said on Friday.
‘Outstanding statesman’: Putin mourns demise of Manmohan Singh
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday mourned the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, describing him as an “outstanding statesman”.