Kejriwal promises to abolish residential house tax, BJP criticises

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday promised to abolish residential house tax if his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wins the civic polls in the national capital, drawing criticism from Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari. Kejriwal promised to abolish residential house tax and waive off all such tax arrears of citizens of Delhi if the AAP wins next month's Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections. Bharatiya Janata Party's Tiwari termed the announcement shameful. Earlier in the day, Kejrwal said that the AAP has made all calculations related to the residential house tax. Kejriwal said his party has delivered on most of its promises, including reducing the electricity charges. The leader alleged corruption was prevailing in the municipal corporations and accused councillors of making money through corrupt practices. He said the money paid to corporations through taxes was being stolen by corrupt people. Tiwari, criticising his announcement, said in a statement: "It is shameful that he is saying that once his party wins civic elections it will exempt residential properties from house tax. In the last two years, the Kejriwal government has several times written to the three civic bodies to levy and realise house tax sternly, especially from those living in unauthorised colonies." Elections to the 272 wards in three municipal corporations are scheduled on April 23. The results will be out on April 26.