People from Bihar avail free treatment in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is "proud" of what his government achieved in the national capital, as far as healthcare and education are concerned. While he flaunted the same on Sunday, he stoked a controversy when he said people from Bihar "availed" free treatment worth lakhs. This, he added, pressurized the hospitals in Delhi. With his comments, Kejriwal infuriated many. Here's what went down.
Kejriwal made remarks at an inauguration ceremony
Kejriwal was speaking at the inauguration of a trauma center at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital when he spoke about the "top-class" facilities available in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener said a survey was carried out at a hospital on Delhi's border which revealed that 80% of those who got treated at the facility, belonged to other states.
Delhi has the best medical facility, said Kejriwal
He said getting oneself treated has become difficult so his government made facilities accessible. Now, people can also get medicines for free, he added. According to Kejriwal, long queues dotted hospitals in Delhi because no other place had these medical facilities. He then said people from Bihar spend Rs. 500 on tickets, and take advantage of better medical facilities.
"Delhi has its own capacity"
"A man from Bihar buys Rs. 500 ticket and gets an operation worth Rs. 5 lakh done for free. When I see this, I feel happy that these are our people and they are getting good treatment but Delhi has its own capacity," he added.
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Subsequently, BJP leader Ravi Kishan said Kejriwal is "frustrated"
Taking strong offense at his words, BJP's Ravi Kishan said the Delhi CM only cared about votes. "The words that he is using are against humanity. He is using such tactics to gain popularity for the coming elections. This is a dirty game. If you want to fight, fight properly. This is all out of frustration of his defeat," the actor-turned-politician reportedly said.
Last week, Kejriwal received criticism for comments on NRC
Not long ago, Kejriwal miffed "Purvanchalis" by saying that Manoj Tiwari will have to leave Delhi if National Register of Citizens (NRC) is implemented. Thereafter, the BJP MP had asked if Kejriwal sees people from other states as "infiltrators". Several BJP workers had protested outside his home. It will be hardly surprising if BJP makes his views an election issue before 2020 Assembly polls.
