Arvind Kejriwal, activist-turned-leader of Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP), announced on Monday his decision to start an indefinite fast from 23 March, and urged people to launch a civil disobedience movement by not paying power and water bills in the city. Kejriwal accused the Sheila Dikshit-led government of being in collusion with power companies and that being the reason behind consumers in the city being overcharged by these companies.
The AAP National Convenor said that people are troubled by the steep hike in water and power bills, but that even the opposition BJP was not taking up the issue. 'I will go on an indefinite fast from 23 March. I will only drink water. This is not a hunger strike to demand some thing. This is a fast meant to awaken people, to help them remove their fears. I urge them not to pay bills,' said Kejriwal, adding that those who live in Ghaziabad, should also not pay their bills in solidarity with those in the national capital.
He urged people to unite and fight against inflated power and water bills. 'Everywhere I have visited, I have heard complaints from people about the inflated power and water bills. They are afraid. But I urge you to not to pay the bills. Unite and we will see how the government snaps the power connection of the whole city. If your lines are disconnected, restore then and if you are afraid, AAP volunteers will help you restore your connection. If you are afraid, do not pay the bills at least for one month. No one can snap your connections for not paying the bill for one month,' he said.
He also claimed that half of the electricity bills in Delhi were inflated.
The AAP National Convenor said that people are troubled by the steep hike in water and power bills, but that even the opposition BJP was not taking up the issue. 'I will go on an indefinite fast from 23 March. I will only drink water. This is not a hunger strike to demand some thing. This is a fast meant to awaken people, to help them remove their fears. I urge them not to pay bills,' said Kejriwal, adding that those who live in Ghaziabad, should also not pay their bills in solidarity with those in the national capital.
He urged people to unite and fight against inflated power and water bills. 'Everywhere I have visited, I have heard complaints from people about the inflated power and water bills. They are afraid. But I urge you to not to pay the bills. Unite and we will see how the government snaps the power connection of the whole city. If your lines are disconnected, restore then and if you are afraid, AAP volunteers will help you restore your connection. If you are afraid, do not pay the bills at least for one month. No one can snap your connections for not paying the bill for one month,' he said.
He also claimed that half of the electricity bills in Delhi were inflated.