IANS/New Delhi
Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal yesterday ended his 15-day fast with a spirited attack on the Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government for its “inability” to provide power and water - which he identified as key issues for the forthcoming polls.
Kejriwal said the Dikshit government has no right to rule after it could not make water and electricity available to people.
He said the government’s days were numbered and warned her to wait until November when the assembly elections likely to be held.
“I am grateful to all those who participated in the movement. After my fast, one thing is certain that the assembly election in Delhi will be fought on the issue of power and water,” said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief.
Kejriwal, who was on a hunger strike since March 23, accused Dikshit of being in cahoots with power distribution companies and industrialists.
“Politics will not be dictated by industrialists anymore,” he said.
Kejriwal also trained his guns on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Both the BJP and the Congress are two sides of the same coin,” he said.
As he ended his fast Kejriwal has garnered the support of thousands of people from outlying working-class areas of the capital who see him as their saviour for raising the issue of “inflated” power and water bills. But many feel it is part of a calculated political plan with an eye on the Delhi elections later this year.
However, Kejriwal claimed the fast was for the nation and not for power. “Had I been power-hungry, I would not have sat on fast,” he said.
The former Anna Hazare aide-turned politician looked feeble and weak and has reportedly lost 9kg and is suffering from blurred vision due to his prolonged fast, but those close to him claim his protest fast has successfully captured the attention of Nand Nagari and other resettlement colonies populated mostly by poor residents.