Cong apes AAP in Maha, Haryana

• Nirupam demands cut in power tariff in Maha
• Threat to Cong as AAP has its say in both states

New Delhi: Keen to emulate the example of the Aam Admi Party (AAP), which has caught the imagination of the Common Man (Aam Admi) in Delhi by slashing the power tariff, the Congress is now thinking of replicating it in its own States like Maharashtra and Haryana. The Congress faces a threat from Arvind Kejriwal’s party in these two States.

In a surprise development, Congress MP from Maharashtra Sanjay Nirupam wrote to State Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, urging him to slash the power tariff in the State by half for all those consumers, who are utilizing 500 units of power every month. Sanjay Nirupam asked, “If Delhi Cabinet can pass such a populist scheme, why can't Chavan do the same.” Nirupam felt that just like Maharashtra, Delhi also has power regulator, but if Arvind Kerjriwal’s government in the Capital can slash the power tariff by half, Maharashtra Government can also do the same.

The Congress leader also called for investigation into cartelisation by private power companies to know whether the current electricity prices were justified.

The writing of letter to his own Chief Minister comes as a surprise, as Sanjay Nirupam could have easily approached him and made his request. Sources stated that Nirupam, who enjoys close proximity with 10, Janpath, could not have taken the step on his own, but was supposedly asked to do so by the Congress High Command. It is now expected that Chavan will soon hold a meeting and decide on cutting the power tariff.

In its keenness to recast its own political strategy, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is not shy of taking immediate steps to win back the confidence of the people, who have, of late, distanced themselves from the 128-year-old party. With Maharashtra and Haryana, being the Congress strongholds, the party cannot afford to keep silent and watch AAP wresting the State governments from them.

In both the States, the AAP has a strong influence, with the fledgling party already declaring its intentions to field candidates in all the constituencies, both for the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

After the power tariff, the other important decision of giving 700 litres of free water to every household may also be emulated.

Rahul Gandhi, after the defeat of his party in the recent Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, had accepted the fact that the Congress failed to reach out to the Aam Aadmi, as was done by other parties (read AAP) and had stated that the Congress, too, would take bold steps, which one cannot imagine. After being routed by AAP in Delhi, the Congress is keen to take all steps that are required to win over the people, even if, by doing so, they are termed as the copy-cats by the AAP.