‘Poll Gimmick’: Sreedharan on Free Metro for Women, Atishi Replies

Responding to Sreedharan, Atishi said that the BJP is using the metro man’s shoulder for conveying its message.

‘Metro Man’ Sreedharan, AAP leader Atishi Marlena.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Atishi hit back at ex-DMRC chief, better known as ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan on Friday, 21 June for his remarks that Delhi government’s proposal of free travel for women is an “election gimmick,” saying that BJP is using his shoulder for conveying its message.

The former DMRC chief wrote to Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on 20 June, stating that the AAP’s proposal will “worsen overcrowding and lead to mishaps.”

Responding to his letter, Atishi said that her party is surprised that Sreedharan has written a “political letter.”

On Sreedharan’s ‘Election Gimmick’ Allegations

In the letter, Sreedharan alleged that the AAP government’s proposal is an “election gimmick” to win votes of women, in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Responding to the ‘Metro Man’, Atishi wrote:

“You are such a well-respected person, why are you allowing the BJP to fire from your shoulder to stall women’s empowerment and development? The BJP is a party that wants women to stay at home, not wear jeans, and is opposed to women being independent. Why are you supporting such a regressive mentality?”

Why No Objection for Free Rides to Senior Citizens, Students: Atishi

"Sreedharan ji has said that the move would be a financial burden on DMRC. I want to ask when last year, the Centre proposed to make metro rides free for senior citizens and students, why did not he raise any objection?” Atishi said in her point-by-point rebuttal.

In his letter, Shreedharan had written:

“I am not opposing Delhi government’s proposal to bear the cost of free travel for women but objecting only to the concept of free travel in a metro. If we allow free travel for women, what about more deserving categories such as students, disabled persons and senior citizens?”

Atishi asked why there was no investigation into the alleged financial irregularities while construction of metro lines, under the then in-charge Sreedharan.

“Is the BJP protecting all the administrators by not conducting a CBI inquiry into the matter? Is this the reason the BJP is able to use Sreedharan for putting out their voice?" said the AAP leader.

‘Why Only Women Are Being Given Free Travel?’ Asks Sreedharan

Sreedharan, who is also the principal adviser to DMRC said "no metro" in the world has extended free travel facility to women exclusively.

He wrote that any compensation paid to DMRC by the Delhi government, is tax-payers’ money and a tax payer has the right to question why only women are being given free travel.

Quoting several international research studies on women's mobility and access to economic opportunities, Atishi said:

“Women are a very small fraction of the country’s workforce. Most women work in small and medium sized enterprises. They do not have the financial independence to travel freely and many a times have to ask their families for money to travel. When travel for women becomes free, it significantly increases their access to opportunities, as the World Bank and UNDP reports have suggested.”

(With PTI inputs.)