Rahul Gandhi Mocks Kejriwal Over Yamuna Water, AAP Announces Worker Welfare Plan

With less than a week left for the Delhi Assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during a rally in Badli Assembly constituency on Thursday.

Addressing the public gathering, the Congress MP mocked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the ongoing concerns regarding the alleged toxicity of the Yamuna River. “Kejriwal ji, five years ago, you spoke about cleaning and making Yamuna water drinkable. Today, I heard he is holding a press conference with bottles of Yamuna water,” Gandhi remarked, ridiculing Kejriwal’s claims.

Continuing his criticism, he accused Kejriwal of misleading the public with false promises. “It is all hollow. He tells one lie after another. Just like Modi ji lies, Kejriwal ji does the same,” Gandhi said. Holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand, he reminded the audience, “Do not forget one thing—who is standing with you? Who is protecting the Constitution?”

Meanwhile, on the same day, Kejriwal announced a set of seven guarantees for domestic workers and employees living in government accommodations. These measures include a new servant registration portal, which will serve as a platform where both job seekers and employers can register for work opportunities.

The guarantees also include issuing personalized staff cards, similar to government employee identity cards, for private workers. Kejriwal further announced the establishment of staff hostels, mobile healthcare facilities, and regulations for working hours. He also emphasized extending legal protection and welfare benefits to domestic workers, similar to those introduced earlier for auto drivers. These welfare benefits comprise health insurance, scholarships for children’s education, and financial assistance for the marriage of their daughters.

Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal highlighted the plight of domestic workers in government quarters. “In many government residences, whether belonging to officers or ministers, the staff working there face numerous difficulties. Their union representatives are here today to voice these concerns,” he stated.

Explaining the working conditions, Kejriwal said, “Whenever a government bungalow is allotted to an official, MP, or minister, it comes with a servant quarter. However, 70-80% of the workers do not receive a salary. They are forced to work only in exchange for accommodation, which is akin to bonded labor. Moreover, many MPs have rented out their servant quarters for profit.”

Laying out his party’s guarantees, the AAP leader elaborated:

1. Sevak Registration Portal – A centralized online platform where domestic workers and job seekers can register. Employers seeking workers can also use this portal for hiring.
2. Government Sevak/Karmachari Card – Identity cards will be issued to ensure formal recognition and benefits.
3. Sevak/Karmachari Hostels – Dedicated hostels will be set up to provide affordable housing.
4. Access to Delhi Government’s EWS Housing – Employees will be eligible for economically weaker section (EWS) housing.
5. Mobile Mohalla Clinics – Healthcare services will be extended to domestic workers through mobile clinics.
6. Work Regulations – Rules will be established to regulate working hours, salaries, and conditions, with strict enforcement.
7. Insurance and Welfare Benefits –
   • ₹10 lakh life insurance coverage
   • ₹5 lakh health insurance coverage
   • ₹1 lakh financial aid for the marriage of daughters
   • Scholarships for children’s education

Delhi is set to vote on February 5, and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. The upcoming elections are crucial as political parties intensify their campaigns, making significant promises to the voters.