When 'Revadi' Is Given To Friends & Ministers, It Is 'Paap': Kejriwal Takes Dig At PM Modi In Gujarat

Arvind Kejriwal took on PM Modi over his remark last week that 'revadi culture' of offering freebies for votes was 'very dangerous' for the development of the country.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Source : PTI

Training his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "revadi culture" remark, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said when "revadi" (freebies) is given to own freinds and ministers, then it is "paap (sin)". Speaking at a rally in Surat, Gujarat, Kejriwal said the AAP would provide 300 units of free electricity to all domestic consumers if it came to power in the state elections, ANI reported.

"Some people are talking about 'revadi' (sweet)...when 'revadi' is distributed among public for free, then it's called 'prasad' (devotional offering). But when it is given for free to your own friends and ministers, then it is 'paap' (sin)," ANI quoted Kejriwal as saying.

Last week, PM Modi had cautioned the people against what he called a "revadi culture" of offering freebies for votes and said this was "very dangerous" for the development of the country.

The Prime Minister used "revadi", a popular north Indian sweet often distributed during festivals, as a metaphor for freebies.

At the rally in Surat, Kejriwal said AAP would ensure round the clock electricity supply in all cities and villages. 

"We will provide 300 units of free electricity to all domestic consumers. Gujarat has a two-month electricity bill. At the rate of 300 units per month, 600 units will be free in the two-month bill. All pending electricity bills up to December 31, 2021, will be waived off," Kejriwal said.

"I am giving you a guarantee. If you find any fault later, you are free not to vote for AAP in the next election. We will fulfil all the guarantees once we come to power in the state," he said.

The AAP national convenor wondered why BJP had enmity with the people of Gujarat. "In Himachal Pradesh, BJP is giving 125 units of electricity for free. In Bengal, Amit Shah had promised 200 units of free electricity. Then they say in Gujarat that 'free ki revadi' cannot be given," he said.

Kejriwal said AAP does not believe in "election jumla" and does what it promises.

"Many parties come before the elections and say that ours is a 'sankalp patra'. When you ask him after the election that you had promised to give Rs 15 lakh, he says that it was a 'jumla'. We don't do election jumla, we do what we say," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

As part of the poll campaign in Gujarat, Kejriwal began his two-day Gujarat visit in Surat from Wednesday.