BJP threatens strike over power tariff hike, to launch 'Bijli Andolan'

New Delhi, Feb 1: BJP in Delhi on Friday condemned the hike in power tariff in the national capital saying the AAP government failed to fulfil its promises and threatened to launch an agitation.

BJP president Vijay Goel announced a Bijli Andolan demonstration in the city, while party leader Vijender Gupta hit out at AAP government for failed to fulfil its promises. Goel announced that the party will launch a massive agitation against the power cuts announced by BSES in Trans-Yamuna area and the AAP government's failure to come up with a back-up plan.

"The party will hold a demonstration at Bhajanpura on Saturday, February 1. This will mark the beginning of our 'Bijli Andolan'," he said.

Claiming that unscheduled power cuts have been happening in many parts of the city, Goel slammed the AAP government for messing up the power sector scenario. "There are unscheduled power cuts for long hours happening in several parts of the city and now there is a possibility of 10-hour long power cuts in Trans-Yamuna area," Goel said.

Goel: AAP government has messed up the power sector scenario

"The worst part is that the half-baked attempts of AAP government has messed up the power sector scenario in the capital. Where is the back-up plan to ensure that there are no power cuts? The Chief Minister should have been well aware that such a situation could happen. He didn't make any preparations for that," Goel said.

"The BJP had come out with a well chalked out plan of reducing the power tariff for all consumers. Why has the government not done anything to rectify the electricity metres which are running so fast?" he asked.

"We condemn the power tariff hike. The AAP government has failed to fulfill the promises it made. AAP had promised that it will slash the rates of power for Delhiites, but now there is a hike by up to eight per cent," BJP leader Vijender Gupta said.

Power tariff was hiked by up to eight per cent by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission amidst a looming threat of huge power cuts in many parts of the city. Earlier, BJP leader Harsh Vardhan demanded the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal government saying if he fails to provide uninterrupted electricity supply and slash rates as promised during elections, he has no right to stay in office.

PTI