In Uttarakhand, Kejriwal promises free pilgrimage, Delhi-style development

Ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the people of the state have seen development in Delhi in the past few years, asserting that the people have made up their minds to give a chance to a new party.

“People can see the development in Delhi in past few years. So, the people of Uttarakhand have made up their minds to give an opportunity to a new party this time. We’ll speak to the people,” said Kejriwal after arriving in Dehradun on Sunday. Retired Army colonel Ajay Kothiyal is the chief ministerial candidate of the AAP in Uttarakhand Assembly polls.

Kejriwal has been visiting Uttarakhand. He had earlier visited Uttarakhand on 17 August and on 19 September, when he promised to make Uttarakhand the “spiritual capital” of the country.

While visiting Haridwar in the state on Sunday, Kejriwal announced that AAP would start free “Tirth Yatra Yojana” in Uttarakhand just like in Delhi if voted to power in the Assembly elections.

“When AAP forms government in Uttarakhand, we’ll begin Tirth Yatra Yojana here just like in Delhi,” Kejriwal said. “We’ll facilitate free ‘darshan’ of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. For Muslims, we’ll have the provision of visiting Ajmer Sharif and for Sikhs to Kartarpur Sahib. It’ll be free,” he added.

AAP chief has made a similar announcement earlier in poll-bound Goa if voted to power in that state.

Delhi government runs a “Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Yojana”. Delhi residents above the age of 60 are covered under this scheme.

“We have done this in Delhi. Give us a chance and we will do the same here. In Delhi, the first train to Ayodhya will start on 3 December. People will travel in air-conditioned trains and stay at air-conditioned hotels. Everything, including food is free for everyone during the journey,” he said.

He urged the gathering to vote for Ajay Kothiyal, who he said had “re-developed Kedarnath”. “Now we will have to start the re-development of Uttarakhand,” he added.

While addressing a roadshow in Haridwar, he also said, “We have built great schools in Delhi. We are not doing any baseless talk. Give us a chance and we will build great schools in Uttarakhand too and also give employment to the youth.” He also promised that if given a chance to come in power, the party will provide great healthcare infrastructure in the state in form of hospitals and mohalla clinics.

Kejriwal promised that if elected to power, the party will arrange free visits to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya for the people in the state.

Kejriwal alleged that Congress and BJP had looted the state during their tenures in the state.

“Both of them have an agreement that one of them stays in power for five years and the other one for the next five years. Both have an agreement that one party gets to loot people for once and the other party gets a chance to do the same next time. Delhi had given a chance to Aam Aadmi Party, I want Uttarakhand to give us a chance. You will forget about other parties,” he added.

The Uttarakhand Assembly elections are scheduled for early next year.