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Accusing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating attacks on himself, Manoj Tiwari, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lok Sabha candidate from North-East Delhi, told The Quint that “Kejriwal thinks that during elections, there's no harm in getting slapped, as it wouldn't break bones, but would get him television coverage and sympathy.”
An actor and singer, Tiwari was referring to a recent road show in Delhi, where CM Kejriwal was slapped in full public glare. The Quint caught up with the Delhi BJP President and sitting MP form North-East Delhi on his campaign trail in Timarpur, to understand what he thinks of the contest this time.
It’s a three-way contest in North East Delhi. Who’s the hero & who’s the villain?
Only that person can be called a villain who had been Delhi chief minister for 15 years but could not get drains in North East Delhi and flood drains cleaned. Who could not get potholes in roads cleaned or provide clean water, or could not bring the metro to North East Delhi, or ease traffic congestion.Only that person can be called a villain who got the opportunity, but only made the people cry.
Sheila Dikshit was CM for 15 years. Do you think she will give you a tough fight?
Rahul Gandhi has punished Sheila Dikshit. Dikshit and a few others have to impress the mata ji. She’s old now. Her son has been an MP from here. He didn’t do any work and just ran away. Manoj Tiwari brought the signature bridge. Manoj Tiwari brought the metro to North East Delhi. Manoj Tiwari brought the Yamuna river front. Manoj Tiwari brought the elevated road.
AAP and Congress alliance didn’t happen. Are you happy about it?
It doesn’t matter to me. AAP had come into power by calling the Congress thieves and a corrupt party. By talking about an alliance, the two have proved that they are two sides of the same coin.
AAP says it has worked on health and education. What do you think about it?
Mohalla clinics are only hallah clinics. Patients visit these clinics for treatment but they are prescribed death in return. Medicines for ailments are not available there.Doctors there can’t treat the diseases people show up with. Only 6-7 Mohalla clinics are properly equipped. Horses and donkeys rest in these clinics.
AAP’s primary poll promise is full statehood for Delhi. What do you think of that promise?
They should have made Delhi a state by now. Why will the Centre turn a Union territory into a state? If Kejriwal wants to become the CM of a full state then aren’t there existing full states in this country? There are 29 states. He can go contest there.
He thinks the people are fools. He thinks that during elections, there’s no harm in getting slapped, as it wouldn’t break bones but would get him television coverage and sympathy. People have understood his pretence and have closed the doors of Delhi to him.
Udit Raj hasn’t got a ticket and was replaced by Hans Raj Hans. Some are saying that he should have been given a ticket, as he’s a senior party worker. You are the state BJP president, what do you have to say about this?
Distribution of tickets is a matter of poll strategy. It’s not that Udit Raj’s work was bad that his ticket was cut. Sometimes, not getting a ticket is a test of patience for party workers. Udit Raj’s patience was tested.
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