New Delhi (Agency): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators have openly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, citing Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on various Central government schemes. These schemes include the construction of the Dwarka Expressway, which has become a focal point of contention.
During the ongoing session of the Delhi Assembly on Friday, the AAP MLAs initiated a heated discussion on the alleged scam in the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. AAP MLA Rituraj pointed out that the cost of the expressway had increased from Rs 18 crore per kilometer to Rs 250 crore per kilometer. He dramatically stated, “This seems to be a gold road,” and demanded that the “scam” should be probed by the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate, although he added that “not much is expected from them.”
The discussion led to tension in the Assembly, resulting in the BJP MLAs staging a walkout. They were upset that their notice for a debate on an alleged connection between an AAP MLA and a gangster was not accepted by Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla.
However, the AAP MLAs continued to focus on the construction of the Dwarka Expressway, along with other irregularities highlighted by the CAG in its report tabled in Parliament recently. Durgesh Pathak, AAP MLA from Model Town, alleged a scam not only in the construction of the expressway but also in the Ayushman Bharat Health scheme.
AAP MLA Praveen Kumar further intensified the attack on the Modi government by stating that the CAG report had pointed out various “scams” in BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The BJP leaders returned to the House after some time, but their request to participate in the discussion was denied by Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla. Her refusal sparked a response where she questioned the Opposition’s behavior, stating, “whether Opposition members think this is some garden or café where they can come and go whenever they want.”
Adding to the debate, Cabinet Minister Imran Hussain contrasted the Prime Minister’s talk of fighting corruption with the realities depicted in the CAG report. He said that while the Dwarka Expressway was being constructed at a cost 15 times higher than the estimated cost, the AAP government in Delhi had completed projects at costs lower than estimates, and on time. Hussain’s statement indicated a clear comparison between the Modi government’s handling of projects and the AAP’s governance.
The BJP MLAs, however, continued to express their discontent over being denied the chance to participate in the discussion, raising slogans in protest.
The Dwarka Expressway issue and the CAG report’s findings have added fuel to the already heated political climate. The AAP’s allegations and demands for investigations highlight their strong stance against what they perceive as corruption and mismanagement within the Modi government’s various schemes. Their use of the CAG report to support their claims adds weight to the argument and emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in government projects.
