Auto-rickshaw drivers refuse to back Kejriwal, accuses him of betrayal

, Feb 20: A group of auto-rickshaw drivers on Thursday said they would not extend any further support to

-led Aam Aadmi Party, while accusing him of "betraying" their cause and not taking any steps for their betterment.

"Arvind Kejriwal, who had won the elections because of the support of the auto drivers, has betrayed them by not fulfilling any of the promises made before the elections", Rakesh Agarwal, Secretary of 'Nyay-Bhumi' auto union, said at a press conference here today.

"In his 49-days in government Kejriwal did not take any step to ensure betterment in the condition of auto drivers," said Agarwal, who claimed that the union has more than 10,000 members.

The auto drivers accused Kejriwal of not working for their betterment

Agarwal, flanked by a group of auto drivers, claimed that Kejriwal had promised certain steps to ensure a better life for the auto-drivers in the capital but none of them were implemented.

According to the union, the AAP government had promised to help auto rickshaw drivers get rid of the finance-mafias, to ensure an income of atleast Rs 25,000 per month to every auto driver, improvement in the fare-structure, action against seizure of the vehicle by police and 5,500 new permits for the Delhi-NCR region, but none of the promises was transformed into reality.

They also said that before elections Kejriwal had always criticised the GPS system installation saying that it is just a step to benefit the companies, but after acquiring the Chief Minister's seat, he was also supportive of it.

"GPS is monitored by DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System) whose audit has recently been ordered by the Kejriwal government suspecting corruption. How can he be in favour of GPS installation which will be monitored by DIMTS?" Agarwal said.

The union also said that many auto drivers were supposed to be enrolled for the Rashtriya Swsathya Bima Yojana. The proposal was pending before the Delhi Government which did not take any steps.

The union has now decided to approach Lt Governor Najeeb Jung requesting him to fulfil their demands. We are even ready to approach High Court if the need arises," said Agarwal.

PTI