Delhi: Sheila Dikshit mocks at AAP's claims of bringing down corruption

New Delhi, June 20: Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today took a dig at the ruling AAP over claims that it has reduced corruption by 60-70 per cent, saying that the view was based on Arvind Kejriwal's daughter's experience of trying to bribe an official.

"People know what is happening. This party (AAP) is claiming that corruption has come down 60-70 per cent, which is based on Kejriwal's daughter's experience of trying to bribe an officer for making her driving licence," she said while targeting the AAP government.

Asked about the upcoming Delhi budget, which is to be tabled on June 26, Dikshit said, "People have chosen them (AAP) by giving such a large mandate. Although I have little belief (in them), I hope they keep the promise made to the people of this city."

Claiming that corruption had come down by "70-80 per cent" after AAP came to power, Delhi chief minister Kejriwal recently spoke of how his daughter found out that officials were now wary of taking a bribe when she went to get her driving licence.

Asked about the row over a Delhi government advertisement which has drawn flak from opposition parties for its portrayal of women as only home-makers, Dikshit said, "I have not seen that advertisement and I am fortunate that I have not seen it. If a woman is being projected that way, then it is wrong and unfortunate."

Talking about women's safety, she said that despite mass outrage over the Dec. 16 Delhi gangrape case, there has been no decline in cases of rape or harassment of women.

"All that I read in the media today is about crimes against women. I feel that Delhi is one city which should show the way. Security has to come from within society as blaming the police alone is not enough," the Congress leader said at a poetry session organised by social organization, Chetna.

Talking about women's empowerment she said, "70 to 80 per cent of the work of life is done by women, but they get the least respect. I could not find the answer to why women are not treated on a par with the opposite sex. Since birth, they are harassed and their feelings are ignored by society."

Blaming society for the increasing cases of crimes against woman, Dikshit said, "What did society do to stop crimes against women?

They held a gathering demanding justice for the gangrape victim and, after a few days, everybody forgot about it. Cases of rape have still not gone down; now I have come to know that there are cases of rape involving family members."

PTI