Arvind Kejriwal flies business class to Dubai, draws flak from BJP, Congress

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday triggered a controversy for flying to Dubai on a business class ticket. Party sources said Kejriwal was invited to attend an awards ceremony where he would be felicitated as the most influential person of the year by the World Brand Summit. A photograph of Kejriwal sitting in the business class was taken by a passenger, giving fresh fodder to the Opposition.

Criticized for claiming to be an 'aam aadmi' but flying business class, Kejriwal had earlier insisted on using a small car and refused to take a big government bungalow when he became chief minister.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana said: "This shows the double standards of AAP. On one hand, they are asking people to donate for their election campaign, and on the other, they are flying business class. We have been told that Kejriwal refused to fly economy. AAP has been claiming that it promotes austerity, then Kejriwal should not be travelling business."

AAP clarified that Kejriwal's ticket had been sponsored by the organizers. "We can't see what is so problematic if someone travels by business class on a sponsored ticket. Why was no fuss made when PM Narendra Modi travelled on a private jet owned by Adani group. There is no fund-raising programme planned for Dubai. Kejriwal will be in Dubai till Saturday evening, from where he will proceed to New York and his tickets for the entire tour have been arranged by his IIT batch-mates and organizers," said a party spokesperson.

Meanwhile, during his visit to New York where Kejriwal will be meeting party volunteers and supporters, he is also scheduled to deliver a speech at Columbia University on Sunday. He has been invited to speak at the School of International and Public Affairs.