Anurag Thakur campaigning for BJP candidate Jagmohan Mehlawat in the city on Thursday. , Photo credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday, while campaigning for BJP, took a dig at the Delhi government on the issue of education. “Kejriwalji had promised to open more schools; Instead, he is closing existing schools. The AAP had promised to recruit more teachers. At present over 20,500 teaching posts and 750 principal posts are lying vacant,” Mr Thakur said during an event at Vasant Kunj.
Addressing a gathering of around 400 people at a park in Masoodpur village in Vasant Kunj, the minister said, “How will the children of the poor study in schools where there are no teachers and headmasters.”
He said the Narendra Modi-led government at the Center had increased the country’s sports budget to Rs 2,400 crore from Rs 800 crore under the previous government.
“We are opening 1,000 Khelo India centres, of which 590 have already been opened,” he said. Pointing to Jagmohan Mehlawat, the BJP’s candidate from the area, Mr. Thakur said a Khelo India center would be opened “where Mehlawat ji says after the elections”.
The Union minister asked people to vote for BJP candidates in the upcoming civic polls if they want their serving councillors. He said, “If you want a leader who collects commission, then choose AAP or Congress.” Inquiring about the health of the children in the crowd, Mr. Thakur said that their future is secure only with the BJP.
Talking about the BJP candidate, a resident said, “Mahlawatji has been working in the area for 20-22 years and shares a personal rapport with the people.
Rajendra Mendwal, a retired MCD employee, said the BJP has been in power in the corporation for 15 years, so we should give Kejriwal a chance.