Auto drivers desert Kejri for not fulfilling promises

Most autorickshaw drivers will not be advertising for Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in the coming Lok Sabha elections as they are upset with his government’s “failure” to implement promises made to them last month.

“Unlike in Delhi Assembly elections, we will not advertise for AAP in the coming polls as the Kejriwal government failed to implement any announcement made at a mahasabha during its 49-day rule,” said Rajendra Soni, general secretary of Delhi Autorickshaw Union, which covers most of the auto drivers across Delhi.

Kejriwal had last month announced that the transport department and the traffic police would not seize autos for minor violations like drivers not wearing uniform and that such action will only be taken if a vehicle didn’t have licence, permit and fitness certificate.

“The transport department and traffic police still continue to seize autos for minor violations. When we recently reminded transport and traffic officials about the government’s order, they said that they have not got any written direction from the government’s side,” Soni added.

Mukesh, an auto driver, said that 49 days were enough to issue a written order or notification, but the Kejriwal government didn’t do anything in this regard.

The AAP-led government on February 7 had also announced its decision to issue 5,500 NCR permits to autos. “This promise was also not fulfilled. Without Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments’ consent, Delhi’s autos cannot ply in Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon,” he said. There are nearly 80,000 autorickshaws running in the capital.

The AAP had acknowledged the drivers’ role in the electoral success and promised to address their grievances.