New Delhi: AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday visited Rajasthan and announced pre-poll guarantees ahead of assembly elections in the state due by the year-end.
While addressing a rally in Jaipur, Kejriwal announced six guarantees to woo the people of the state, including Rs 1,000 every month to women above 18 years of age, permanent employment to contractual workers, free school education and health treatment, and Rs 1 crore honorarium to the kin of martyrs of army and police.
Kejriwal also spoke about making Rajasthan corruption-free and providing free electricity up to 300 units per month.
During his speech, Kejriwal criticised the concept of 'One Nation, One Election,' suggesting that elections should be held more frequently to ensure accountability. He stated, "There should be an election every third month. Otherwise, they (BJP) will not show their faces for five years if 'one nation, one election' gets implemented."
Targeting Narendra Modi, the Delhi CM said that if the 'one India, one election' proposal becomes a reality, the prime minister will show his face to the electorate once in five years.
"Why is Modi ji saying one nation, one election? At present, elections are held every six months, so he has to give an account to the public every six months," he said.
Kejriwal further added, "If polls are held every five years, a gas cylinder will be available for Rs 5,000 and in the penultimate year, a discount of Rs 200 discount will be given. Similarly, tomatoes will be sold at Rs 1,500 per kg." "That is why there should be four elections every year, he (Modi) will give at least something. Otherwise, he will not even show his face for five years."
Recently, the BJP-led Centre has set up a high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to make recommendations on the possibility of holding simultaneous elections.
The committee will examine and recommend specific amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, and any other laws and rules that would require amendments for the purpose of holding simultaneous elections. It will also examine and recommend whether the amendments to the Constitution would require ratification by the states.
The AAP leader went on to suggest that there should be more frequent elections to bring in more accountability from elected representatives, "There should be one nation, 20 elections. If elections are held every three months, then they will do something. Otherwise, he (Modi) will roam around the world and come after five years to show his face."