She was the youngest and the only woman minister in the 49-days AAP government and holding women & child development portfolio. In an interview with Sujit Nath, AAP candidate Rakhi Birlan from Mangolpuri revealed why she is confident of winning the February 7 polls and what would be her priorities in terms of serving the people of the national Capital. Excerpts:
Why do you think that people should elect you as their leader?
People in my constituencies know that we have always stood by them in their good and bad days. No other political parties have worked for their betterment, the way AAP has done. I am not here to win or lose, I am here to serve the poor and downtrodden.
Which political party, you think, could cause a substantial dent to your citadel?
My fight is against corruption and there is nothing in between it. There are candidates from BJP and Congress, but I am confident that people will vote for the AAP. I am not scared of any poll arithmetic. All I know that I am going to win the February 7 election.
Being the youngest cabinet minister of Women & Child, Social Welfare and Languages in Delhi government from December 28, 2013 to February 14, 2014. How was your experience and do you have any regret of not fulfilling any commitment?
It was a great learning experience for me in those 49-days. I had worked tirelessly on women’s security, empowerment and executing child welfare projects, which were delayed for years. Though the time was less but we did everything to serve the people. The only regret is the pending Jan Lokpal Bill.
What are your priority areas if you win this time?
To fight against corruption, poverty and to provide jobs to the unemployed. There is no dearth of talent in the national Capital and we need to identify those talents to make a platform for them. Besides, we are committed to ‘bijli aadhi, pani maaf’ (electricity bill half, water free).
What is your opinion over Kiran Bedi joining the BJP?
I have nothing to say. All I know is that AAP is going to form the government in Delhi. I am not here to criticise anyone. I don’t have time for mud slinging. There are plenty of works related to serving the people which are pending for ages. It would be unfair for me to now involve in these irrelevant issues.
How does it feel to see so many people from southern parts of India and abroad, especially from Dubai, who came to Delhi to campaign for AAP?
This shows our popularity. People know that we are here with a mission and to make a corruption-free country. I would like to thank all who have come to Delhi to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party.
Why do you think that people should elect you as their leader?
People in my constituencies know that we have always stood by them in their good and bad days. No other political parties have worked for their betterment, the way AAP has done. I am not here to win or lose, I am here to serve the poor and downtrodden.
Which political party, you think, could cause a substantial dent to your citadel?
My fight is against corruption and there is nothing in between it. There are candidates from BJP and Congress, but I am confident that people will vote for the AAP. I am not scared of any poll arithmetic. All I know that I am going to win the February 7 election.
Being the youngest cabinet minister of Women & Child, Social Welfare and Languages in Delhi government from December 28, 2013 to February 14, 2014. How was your experience and do you have any regret of not fulfilling any commitment?
It was a great learning experience for me in those 49-days. I had worked tirelessly on women’s security, empowerment and executing child welfare projects, which were delayed for years. Though the time was less but we did everything to serve the people. The only regret is the pending Jan Lokpal Bill.
What are your priority areas if you win this time?
To fight against corruption, poverty and to provide jobs to the unemployed. There is no dearth of talent in the national Capital and we need to identify those talents to make a platform for them. Besides, we are committed to ‘bijli aadhi, pani maaf’ (electricity bill half, water free).
What is your opinion over Kiran Bedi joining the BJP?
I have nothing to say. All I know is that AAP is going to form the government in Delhi. I am not here to criticise anyone. I don’t have time for mud slinging. There are plenty of works related to serving the people which are pending for ages. It would be unfair for me to now involve in these irrelevant issues.
How does it feel to see so many people from southern parts of India and abroad, especially from Dubai, who came to Delhi to campaign for AAP?
This shows our popularity. People know that we are here with a mission and to make a corruption-free country. I would like to thank all who have come to Delhi to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party.