New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday inducted a prominent leader and former Congress MLA Sumesh Shokeen into the party.
Addressing the media, Arvind Kejriwal welcomed Shokeen into the party and said, “Before our government came to power, rural Delhi was completely neglected. Residents often felt disconnected from the capital city. Today, our development efforts have transformed rural Delhi into an integral part of Delhi’s growth story.”
“The people living in rural areas did not feel like they were a part of Delhi. I still remember an incident before the 2013 elections when hailstorms hit Delhi in 2012-2013, damaging crops, he said adding, “At that time, a journalist asked the then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit about the damage and what her response was “Oh, does farming happen in Delhi too?”
“The Chief Minister, who had been in power for 15 years, didn’t even know that there were farmers in Delhi and that farming occurred here. In 2015, when our government was formed, hailstorms occurred soon after, and crops were damaged. I personally visited the affected areas, and we provided compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre to the farmers. Since then, the development process in rural Delhi began,” Kejriwal said.
“Our government has set up numerous sewage treatment plants, provided sewer connectivity, built roads, established outstanding schools, developed playgrounds, and constructed large stadiums to meet the long-standing demands of rural Delhi. We’ve also set up Mohalla Clinics and hospitals, ensuring equitable development,” the former Chief Minister emphasised.
“Sumesh Shokeen’s decision to join AAP underscores the impact of our work, and his addition will further strengthen our mission in rural Delhi,” he added.
Sumesh Shokeen, expressing his enthusiasm, said, “The development witnessed in rural Delhi over the past 11 years under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership is unparalleled. Whether it’s road connectivity, bus services, or sewage treatment plants, AAP has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between rural Delhi and the city.”
“I have always been committed to serving my people, and joining AAP allows me to build on that vision. Together, we will continue to work for the betterment of rural Delhi, my constituency, and the common citizens of Delhi,” he added.
