AAP using money power in DUSU polls; Arvind Kejriwal promises sops to lure students

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's promise of higher education loan scheme and free wi-fi in colleges ahead of the DUSU elections drew sharp criticism from political rivals, who accused the AAP chief of using government machinery for political gains.

At a rock concert for students in the Capital, Kejriwal promised one lakh jobs within a year and free wi-fi to students of poll-bound Delhi University.

"We will make Delhi the first free-wifi state and our team is working hard to turn it into a reality soon. Not just that, we will also ensure hassle-free education loan worth up to Rs 10 lakh," Kejriwal said.

"It won't happen in five months but our full team is working on it. We will also create one lakh jobs within Delhi."

The Congress was quick to react on the promises, calling it blatant misuse of state machinery for political mileage. "You cannot use government machinery to influence student votes in such a manner," Delhi Congress leader Haroon Yusuf told Times Now.

The Congress sought action and disqualification of AAP's student wing Chhatra-Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), which is contesting the DUSU elections for the first time.

CYSS's entry has made DUSU elections into a triangular contest. Congress-backed NSUI and RSS-supported ABVP have traditionally dominated the DUSU poll scene.

In its defence, AAP said the chief minister was stating Delhi government's plans for the city. "Delhi CM was merely listing his government's promises and how he intended to implement them. It was a rock concert and the CM was the invitee," an AAP spokesperson said.

(With PTI inputs)