Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday wooed the state's 25,000 taxi drivers, promising them numerous sops, while also claiming that 70 per cent of the credit for his party's victory in Delhi polls went to taxi and autorickshaw drivers in the national capital.
Kejriwal also took objection to taxi drivers being repeatedly referred to as mafia by the state's politicians.
Addressing a large meeting of taxi drivers in Goa, which is headed for polls in early 2022, Kejriwal promised minimised government interference and less red-tape, while also promising free treatment of taxi and auto drivers in case of an accident.
"We will form a corporation with one or two government officers, the rest of the members will be taxi and auto drivers. You will form the policy. You will decide whether you want to start an app-based service or hike fares," the Delhi Chief Minister said.
In return, Kejriwal urged taxi drivers to work as ambassadors of the Aam Aadmi Party and "brainwash" passengers who ride with them.
Kejriwal also underlined the importance of the support from taxi and auto drivers in Delhi, who he said took 70 per cent credit for his party's major victories in the Delhi assembly polls.
"70 per cent of the credit for the formation of the AAP government in Delhi is due to taxi and auto drivers. I told auto and taxi drivers that I will take up your fight, you help me form a government... They stuck AAP posters on their auto and taxis for free. Autos travel across Delhi. There can be no better canvassing," he said.
"Seven years ago, when the AAP government still wasn't formed in Delhi, auto and taxi drivers were being called mafia. No politician wanted to associate themselves with taxi and auto operators in Delhi. I had called a similar meeting in Delhi with taxi and auto drivers where I had asked for their support," Kejriwal added.
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