The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has slammed the BJP government for burdening lakhs of students with a steep hike in metro fares, pointing to betrayal of its own election promise of free metro passes for students. AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj reminded voters that the BJP’s manifesto pledged free travel for students, but instead, fares have been raised by 10 percent soon after the elections.
He said the BJP came to power in Delhi on lies, deceit, and vote theft, only to harass every section of society — from private school parents, jhuggi residents, shopkeepers, doctors, and lawyers, to students and the middle class.
AAP Delhi Unit Chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “If the metro fare hike is seen through the BJP’s lens, they will claim it was inevitable, that Arvind Kejriwal had stopped it, and that by raising fares they have done good for the nation. But ask the common man, and they will say it was Kejriwal who fought in the Delhi Assembly, passed resolutions, and ensured fares were not raised.”
“Arvind Kejriwal fought to prevent hikes in school fees, electricity rates, and metro fares. But under the BJP, private schools, power companies, and the metro reap benefits while Delhiites suffer losses. Now, Delhi must decide: were they better off with the BJP’s friendship with corporations, or with Arvind Kejriwal’s fight for the people?” asked Saurabh Bharadwaj.
