Kejriwal to fast again, focus on power, water

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he would go on an indefinite fast from March 23 to protest the rising power and water bills in the Capital. The activist-turned-politician also called for a ‘civil disobedience movement’, asking people to stop paying their bills.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said he would go on an indefinite fast from March 23 to protest the rising power and water bills in the Capital. The activist-turned-politician also called for a ‘civil disobedience movement’, asking people to stop paying their bills.

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“March 23 is the anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom. It reminds us of people who gave their lives for the country… I will be embarking on an indefinite fast (upawaas)… this is not a hunger strike (anshan),” Kejriwal said.

But unlike previous instances, Kejriwal said he would stay with different people in various localities during the fast.

Kejriwal went on to say that it is about time Delhiites united against the government.

Stating that the bills were “unduly inflated due to corruption”, Kejriwal said, “People are afraid their power or water connections would be severed if they don’t pay the bills. People should not pay their bills till the government agrees to a CAG audit of discoms and the tariffs are lowered.”

Kejriwal, a Ghaziabad resident, also promised he would do the same.

The Congress made light of his comments. “Kejriwal has displayed an intention to undertake fast unto death many times. How many times can a person die? He went to Farrukhabad and then came to the cushy comforts of Delhi. I do not think people take it seriously,” Congress spokesman PC Chacko said.