India

New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) Congress candidate from New Delhi Assembly constituency Sandeep Dikshit on Saturday challenged AAP convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to a public debate and vowed to expose his links with the BJP.

Talking to IANS, Dikshit said, “I will give 100s of evidence to prove how they have helped the BJP win elections at the Centre and in states.”

“As part of a conspiracy, the AAP has directly helped the BJP and tried to defeat the Congress,” Dikshit said, dismissing the AAP allegation that he was being used as a front by the BJP to defeat the AAP.

Lashing out at AAP leaders’ habit of making baseless allegations, he said, “We are still waiting to see the 350-page evidence Kejriwal had promised to issue against Sheila ji (former Delhi CM and late Congress leader).”

“I challenge Kejriwal to share if they have anything substantive to prove that I have some links with the BJP,” said a combative Dikshit, who is fighting the upcoming Assembly election against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency.

Highlighting the alleged wrongdoings of the AAP, the Congress leader referred to LG V.K. Saxena’s decision to seek a report within three days from Delhi Police after an inquiry into the Congress leader’s complaint of illegal political surveillance ahead of Assembly elections.

Dikshit, a former Member of Parliament, has alleged that intelligence personnel from Punjab have parked their vehicles outside his home.

The LG’s office said in an order, “This pertains to a representation received from Sandeep Dikshit, former MP and candidate of the Congress for the upcoming Delhi Vidhan Sabha Elections, 2025. He has raised serious concerns regarding intelligence personnel from the Punjab government allegedly visiting his residence and parking their vehicles outside his house.”

"The Lieutenant Governor has noted the gravity of the allegations. Given the impending Vidhan Sabha elections, it is essential that potential candidates are not subjected to any form of intimidation or coercion that could hinder their participation in the democratic process,” said a statement from Raj Niwas.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 28 (IANS) The Karnataka Police have arrested a gang of four individuals, led by the Manager of the Corporate Division at Axis Bank in Gujarat, for siphoning off crores of rupees by stealing sensitive data from a company, officials said on Saturday.

The Bengaluru East CEN police (Cybercrime, Economic Offences, Narcotics) apprehended the suspects and seized Rs 1.83 crore in cash, two mobile phones, and a fake Corporate Internet Banking (CIB) form, according to Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand.

The investigation began after the Director of Dream Plug Pay Tech Solutions Private Limited (CRED) in Bengaluru filed a police complaint on November 15 with the CEN East police station. The complaint alleged the siphoning of Rs 21.51 crore from the company’s accounts and requested an investigation.

According to the complaint, the company’s nodal and current bank accounts were with the Indiranagar branch of Axis Bank in Bengaluru. Strangers had gained access to the email addresses and contact numbers associated with these accounts.

The cyber fraudsters stole the company’s data, forged CIB forms, and falsified signatures and seals to facilitate the transfer of Rs 12,51,13,000 to 17 different bank accounts.

After registering the complaint, the East CEN police launched an investigation and arrested the primary suspect, who worked as the Manager of the Corporate Division at Axis Bank in Gujarat. The investigation revealed that the accused, in collusion with others, had stolen the company’s data and committed the crime.

The kingpin created fake Corporate Internet Banking (CIB) forms and Board Resolutions for the company and submitted them to the Ankleshwar branch of Axis Bank in Bharuch district, Gujarat. Using these forged documents, the accused gained access to the company’s internet banking accounts and transferred funds to 17 mule accounts in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The four suspects were apprehended on December 20 in Surat, Navsari, and Rajkot in Gujarat. They were produced in a local court and subsequently brought to Bengaluru for further investigation.

The accused were remanded to 10 days of police custody. The police recovered Rs 1.28 crore in cash and Rs 55 lakh from the mule bank accounts associated with the crime.

The case was cracked by a team led by DCP East D. Devaraj, ACP Laxmikanth of CEN East police station, and Inspector Umeshkumar.

Six people were arrested in connection with cyber fraud of Rs 56 lakh in Bengaluru on December 24. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand had said: "The accused duped a company by impersonating its Managing Director (MD). Using the MD's photograph and the company logo as a WhatsApp display picture, one of the accused sent a message to the company's employee asking for an urgent transfer of Rs 56 lakh, claiming it was needed as a security deposit."

An incident of cyber criminals conning a Japanese national and extorting Rs 35 lakh from him has been reported from Bengaluru recently. Hiroshi Sasaki, a 59-year-old Japanese national, had lodged a complaint in this regard with the South East Cybercrime, Economic offences, Narcotics (CEN) Crime police station.

An incident of a software professional losing Rs 11 crore after falling victim to digital arrest was reported from Bengaluru on December 23. According to the police, the cyber fraudsters disguised themselves as police officials from the Mumbai Crime Branch and committed the crime through digital arrest.

A case of a state government employee falling victim to cybercriminals and being robbed of Rs 19 lakh after being digitally arrested for six hours in Tumakuru district of Karnataka was reported on December 24.

According to police, the accused had called the victim officer on the phone and introduced himself as a staffer from the Mumbai Crime Branch. The accused further charged that the money had been transferred illegally from his account.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 28 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, accused Kalaburagi district in-charge minister Priyank Kharge of abusing his power and demanded his resignation in connection with the suicide of a contractor, Sachin.

He also alleged that the Kharge family is running a republic in their native Kalaburagi.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Narayanaswamy further criticised the situation in Kalaburagi, stating, “It has become the Republic of Kalaburagi. The administrative system in Karnataka and Kalaburagi are entirely different. In Kalaburagi, police function as if they are acting under the sole instructions of Priyank Kharge.”

Priyank Kharge is the son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The BJP leader alleged that the Kharge family wields significant dominance in the region. “No one else is allowed to voice their opinions. Especially Dalit communities, if they speak against the Kharges, they face consequences. Police camp outside the homes of those who criticise them,” he charged.

"I visited Kalaburagi, but had to return due to a condolence meeting for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."

Narayanaswamy criticised the administration in Kalaburagi, stating that it has completely collapsed.

He alleged that Priyank Kharge has surrounded himself with loyalists and is involved in multiple illegal activities.

“There is illegal sand mining, and rackets involving tiles and cement factories. Even in contract matters, appointments are made to suit their agenda. This is the primary reason behind Sachin's suicide,” he claimed.

Narayanaswamy demanded a high-level investigation into the matter.

He also urged the government to remove Priyank Kharge from his ministerial position and to arrest him, ensuring full cooperation with the investigation.

“If this doesn’t happen, our party leaders and workers will have no choice but to launch an intense protest,” he warned.

Narayanaswamy highlighted that the deceased contractor, Sachin, had written a seven-page death note and also posted it on social media. “In the note, he mentioned plans to hire a hitman to kill individuals such as Andol Swamiji, Chandu Patil, and Basavaraj, which raise serious concerns,” he added.

Sachin, a 26-year-old contractor, committed suicide in Karnataka's Kalaburagi district on Thursday following the alleged threats to his life and extortion by an aide of Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge.

The deceased contractor left a seven-page suicide note and alleged that Minister Kharge's aide and Kalaburagi City Corporation's former member Raju Kapanuru's atrocities forced him to take the extreme step.

Reacting to the development, Minister Priyank Kharge said, "I came to know about the incident just now. I will make a demand that whether the accused is my associate or a Congress party worker, the investigation should be conducted. I will not try to silence the matter and won't say that an investigation is not required. I will request the Home Minister G. Parameshwara to get a thorough investigation done regarding the incident."

The Karnataka BJP unit had earlier accused Minister Priyank Kharge of being directly responsible for a series of murders of its party workers in his native Kalaburagi district of the state.

The BJP also said that during Priyank Kharge's tenure, incidents of murders and extortions have increased, adding that "after Priyank Kharge took over as the district in-charge minister of Kalaburagi, BJP workers and leaders have been hacked to death one after the other".

BJP has asserted that Priyank Kharge, who handed over the Kalaburagi district to criminals, is directly responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation.

Following the killing of Mahantappa Aloore, another BJP leader Girish Chakra was hacked to death, the BJP said.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 28 (IANS) A major disaster was narrowly averted on Saturday when a tanker carrying methanol overturned on the Jaipur-Delhi highway near Chandwaji in Jaipur.

The accident prompted a swift response, with multiple fire tenders from Jaipur and Jaipur Rural rushing to the scene. Teams from Civil Defence and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also deployed to manage the toxic gas leak.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday reportedly after the tanker driver swerved to avoid hitting a cow that had strayed on to the road. The resulting overturn led to a diversion of traffic on both sides of the highway.

Emergency personnel have rerouted vehicles via the Sundarpur culvert and service roads, while police and Civil Defence teams closely monitor the area to ensure public safety.

Methanol, a highly toxic chemical, poses significant risks, making the situation critical. Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the leak and prevent further escalation.

This incident comes on the heels of a recent highway tragedy. On the Jaipur-Ajmer highway near Bhankrota, an LPG tanker explosion on December 20 claimed 20 lives. The accident occurred when an LPG tanker making a U-turn collided with an oncoming container, leading to a massive gas leak and explosion.

The resulting fire spread across a 500-meter radius, leaving approximately 40 people injured. Four victims were burned alive, and eight others succumbed to injuries in the hospital, with over 12 individuals still in intensive care.

These consecutive highway accidents have reignited calls from locals for stricter safety measures and better regulation of hazardous materials transportation on major routes.

According to road safety experts, incomplete construction, sudden turns and a lack of traffic sense lead to accidents.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Dec 28 (IANS) The office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer has decided to thoroughly scan and examine the voters' list in certain districts in West Bengal having international borders with neighbouring Bangladesh, with Intelligence input hinting that members of Bangladeshi fundamentalist groups have managed to get themselves enrolled in voters.

CEO office insiders said that the process had started with the bordering Murshidabad district, after it came to the notice that the recently arrested activist of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a Bangladesh-based fundamentalist group, Shad Radi a.k.a. Shab Sheikh, had managed to not only get his name enrolled as a voter in Murshidabad but at two places in two different Assembly constituencies in the district, namely Kandi and Hariharpara.

Sources said that the scanning and examination are being conducted to ensure whether there are similar instances in the district or not. In subsequent stages, similar scanning of the voters' list will be done for other districts in the state, especially those having international borders with Bangladesh.

Besides the instance in Murshidabad district, instances have also surfaced where the same EPIC number has been allotted to one voter of West Bengal and one voter of Gujarat.

Sources said that the CEO office is taking such matters very seriously since fake EPIC cards are the second layer in the chain of fake Indian documents being arranged for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

As information revealed by the investigation officials, the first stage in this chain is getting fake ration cards, which is immediately followed by fake EPIC cards. The third and fourth stages are fake PAN cards and Aadhaar cards. The final stage in the chain is that of fake passports.

“So in case if the chain can be broken at the second stage, which is a fake EPIC card, the next lines in the chain can be broken automatically. At the same time, the office of the CEO has directed their respective-level officials to be extremely careful in checking the documents in case of new EPIC card applicants," a source said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, on Saturday targeted Aam Aadmi Party convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over a planned illegal construction worth Rs 200 crore in the guise of renovation of CM residence in north Delhi.

Addressing the media, Gupta, a senior Delhi BJP leader, claimed that eight Type-V flats at 45 and 47 Rajpur Road, along with two bungalows (8-A and 8-B), were demolished and merged to create a grand “Sheesh Mahal” (glass house) for the then Chief Minister over an extensive 10-acre plot (approximately 50,000 square yards).

These demolished properties reportedly included housing for senior administrative officers, he said.

Taking a jibe at the AAP's self-proclaimed “honest” leadership, Gupta accused Kejriwal of failing to secure approval from any competent authority to consolidate these seven government properties into the Chief Minister's residence. The demolished properties officially remain listed as separate entities in government records despite being absorbed into 6, Flag Staff Road – the Delhi CM’s official residence.

Gupta also alleged that illegal construction at this address was abruptly halted after the Opposition spotlighted the issue.

BJP state spokespersons Shubhendu Shekhar Awasthi and Yasir Jilani were also present at the conference.

The LoP alleged that the illegal construction at CM’s residence would have continued uninterrupted if the Opposition had not exposed it. He stated that not only were there irregularities in the construction process, but crores of rupees were also spent in furnishing the official residence with luxurious items.

According to him, this happened when the country was grappling with the pandemic. Gupta claimed that Kejriwal drafted a new liquor policy to favour liquor cartels in return for acquiring expensive items like gold-plated commodes, Rs 28-lakh televisions, costly curtains, luxury sofas, and reclining chairs for the ‘Sheesh Mahal’.

Gupta stated that these acquisitions occurred in 2022 and were revealed by comparing the PWD inventory lists from 2022 and 2024, after the residence was vacated by Kejriwal.

The PWD’s findings indicated significant discrepancies, revealing that the items in 2024 were nearly eight times the value of those initially listed in 2022.

Gupta questioned the origin of some of the items, suggesting that if the PWD did not provide them, they might have been gifted by liquor cartels in exchange for undue advantages under the new liquor policy. He alleged that the policy increased liquor sales commission from 5 per cent to 12 per cent, with a substantial portion allegedly funding luxurious furnishing for the Sheesh Mahal.

The BJP leader asserted that corruption complaints to the Central Vigilance Commission prompted an inquiry involving Delhi’s Vigilance Department. The department, in turn, directed the PWD’s principal secretary to submit a report within five days, but no response has been received yet.

Gupta alleged that the AAP government's pressure on PWD officials has stalled the report. The vigilance inquiry seeks to uncover details on who provided the luxury items, what benefits they received in return, and whether official protocols were violated.

The BJP leader said that once the investigation report is out, the public will learn the “dark secrets” of Kejriwal’s governance, exposing the reality behind his decade-long image of “unwavering honesty.” He warned that Kejriwal would face consequences for his actions, and the BJP will present this issue as a central campaign theme in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is committed to setting up a memorial for former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Punjab unit BJP General Secretary Anil Sarin said here on Saturday.

The BJP has always been keen on giving due respect to national heroes like the great economist Dr Manmohan Singh, who heralded major economic reforms in the country, he told the media.

"The BJP has always risen above politics, and it has even conferred Bharat Ratna on Congress leaders Madan Mohan Malviya, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Pranab Mukherjee,” said Sarin.

He said the Central Cabinet has already decided to erect a national memorial in memory of Dr. Manmohan Singh at its meeting on December 27. He said the place for the memorial requires to be acquired, transferred, setting up of a trust and there are certain other paper works too involved.

"Once the ball is set rolling, the work shall be completed on memorial as soon as possible," he clarified.

He said that despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah having conveyed the decision to erect a memorial to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the grand old party "is wrongly propagating that the Modi government is not keen to erect a memorial. The Congress has never respected Dr Manmohan Singh and it’s a matter of shame that the Congress is playing petty politics over the death of its own stalwart leader".

Sarin said that apart from Nehru and Gandhi's family, Dr. Manmohan Singh was the only Prime Minister that has served the nation spanning 10 years in a row.

"All of us are well aware of the disgrace of late P.V. Narasimha Rao, who served the nation for five years as PM, suffered at the hands of his own party. Even the autobiography of Pranab Mukherjee mentions it," he added.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was also a noted economist, passed away at the AIIMS in Delhi on Thursday. He was 92.

Dr. Singh is credited with bringing reforms and transformational changes to the country's economy when it was passing through a tough phase.

His demise has been condoled by leaders cutting across political lines, eminent personalities as well as global leaders.

--IANS

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Kochi, Dec 28 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V. D. Satheesan on Saturday slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for inaugurating a five-star hotel at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

“A seven day mourning is in place following the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Vijayan took part in the function when the last rites of the person who was the PM for a decade were taking place in Delhi,” said Satheesan.

CIAL is the first airport in the PPP model and the Chief Minister of Kerala is the Chairman of the airport. CIAL has built the hotel and has handed it over to the Indian Hotels Company Limited for its running.

“A person like Vijayan should not have done this when the entire country is in mourning as it’s disrespectful to the departed soul. It was brought to the attention of the CIAL to inform Vijayan that the function should be postponed, but it did not happen and this act has to be condemned,” added Satheesan.

Inaugurating the hotel, Vijayan emphasised that constant innovation is essential for individuals and institutions to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Vijayan highlighted the importance of adapting to shifting trends in service delivery, especially in the era of pervasive new media.

“These days, providing the best services is not enough, as new media impacts daily life. People should be able to be convinced of the benefits,” said Vijayan.

Vijayan then praised CIAL’s professional marketing strategies and ability to communicate its initiatives' benefits effectively.

CIAL is the second airport in India to introduce a hotel under this business model, utilising its land for strategic ventures.

Apart from Vijayan, State Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and other top state government officials also took part in the event.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 28 (IANS) Karnataka BJP has dubbed the ruling Congress as a government of killers in the backdrop of the suicide of a contractor in Kalaburagi district allegedly due to the torture by a close associate of Minister Priyank Kharge.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at the BJP state office ‘Jagannath Bhavan’ in Bengaluru, state BJP general secretary P. Rajeev criticised the Congress government, saying it has become a haven for criminals.

“I am pained over calling the Karnataka government a "government of killers." Citing recent events, he mentioned the suicide of contractor Sachin in Kalaburagi, who died by lying down on railway tracks, leaving behind allegations against a minister. The BJP has promised to stand by the family,” Rajeev underlined.

Rajeev alleged that the government is fostering a climate of despair, with increasing numbers of individuals leaving suicide notes naming ministers. The BJP plans to launch a statewide protest over such incidents, he added.

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra will outline the protest strategy upon his return from Delhi, Rajeev said.

He further attacked saying, “The current government has brought the transport department to the verge of collapse. The transport department employees have called for a protest starting tomorrow. BJP stands in solidarity with the transport workers.”

Rajeev criticised the transport minister, saying it is unfortunate that the minister is unaware of the financial condition of his department.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy claims the department is profitable. “If ministers are so ignorant, what will happen to the common people? This is the misfortune of the state,” he mocked.

Highlighting the tenure of former IAS officer Upendra Tripathi as BMTC MD, he flagged how the organisation was transformed from losses to profits under his leadership, adding assets worth Rs 700 crore to the department.

Rajeev alleged that the government has gone bankrupt, attempting to sell off assets accumulated by honest officers.

He attributed the inability to pay salaries to this financial mismanagement.

By December end -- i.e., as of today -- the state government owes the transport department Rs 7,401 crore. Among which Rs 2,500 crore towards the Provident Fund Trust; Rs 362 crore in pending payments to retired employees; and Rs 1,000 crore for staff dues, supplier bills, fuel dues, and MVC claims.

“The pending amount includes Rs 700 crore for revised pensions, leave encashment and other bills. Adding up the outstanding liabilities brings the total to Rs 5,614 crore. On top of this, the government owes 10.5 per cent interest on the dues,” Rajeev charged.

Under the Shakti free travel scheme, Rs 1,180 crore is pending for the 2023-24 financial year and Rs 607 crore for 2024-25, totalling Rs 1,787 crore, he maintained.

Criticising the Chief Minister, Rajeev said, “While Siddaramaiah goes on announcing schemes, where is the merit in this? Selling off existing assets and pushing the department into bankruptcy is being touted as an achievement.”

In a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, it was acknowledged that Rs 3,650 crore was overdue. Officials agreed to propose a 15 per cent hike in bus fares to offset the deficit. However, even after the fare revision, the corporations would still incur losses of Rs 1,800 crore, according to the meeting, Rajeev stated.

The Chief Secretary also suggested utilising the 200 acres of land owned by the corporation for revenue generation, raising concerns that the government is avoiding directly addressing the funding crisis, he slammed.

Rajeev expressed concern over the future of public transport, questioning the department's condition after two-and-a-half more years of this government's tenure.

He criticised the government’s inability to address the needs of passengers and students and warned of a bleak future for the transport sector.

The government is buried under debt of Rs 1.05 lakh crore, failing to utilise it productively or provide funds to corporations, Rajeev observed.

He noted that during the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, provident fund contributions were paid on time.

The press conference was attended by state BJP secretary Sharanu Tallikeri, Belagavi rural district president Subhash Patil, state spokesperson K.M. Ashok Gowda, and OBC Morcha state general secretary Somashekar.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) Reiterating BJP’s commitment to respect women and offer them monthly financial assistance, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday accused AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal of spreading lies, making false promises and not giving the promised financial assistance to Punjab women.

Sachdeva said the BJP is the only party which has honoured women with financial assistance in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Haryana.

“If there is any party in Delhi whose government will give financial assistance to women, it is the BJP – under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Sachdeva, countering Kejriwal’s fresh allegations that the saffron party was trying to create hurdles in AAP government’s Mahila Samman Yojana.

“We will not lie to women like the AAP government did in Punjab,” he said, wondering why Kejriwal has suddenly come up with the idea of paying financial assistance to women before elections while he did nothing during the past 12 years of his party’s government.

Calling Kejriwal’s announcement of giving Rs 2,100 to women every month as a fraud, the Delhi BJP chief said, “Women across Delhi are filing police complaints against the illegal collection of their data by AAP volunteers.”

An inquiry has also been ordered into the illegal data collection on the basis of such complaints received in police stations, he said, sharing copies of some of the police complaints filed by women.

“I am cautioning women in Delhi that the AAP volunteers collecting their details will commit financial fraud and, instead of sending money to their bank accounts, loot the money in their accounts,” said Sachdeva.

Accusing Kejriwal of spreading lies over the women's financial assistance scheme, Sachdeva said the former Delhi CM had no answers on whether the Delhi Cabinet had passed any note on giving Rs 2,100 each to women every month.

“Does he have any answer on why the AAP government has not paid the promised Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to women in Punjab, despite being in power for three years,” he said.

He claims to have done so much but blocks the PM Ayushman health scheme in the city. “He wants to bring in his own Sanjeevani health insurance scheme because he does not like the word ‘PM’ in the Ayushman scheme. Kejriwal wants to take all the credit so he has planned his own scheme,” he said.

Slamming the former CM for corruption, pollution and failure to issue a single fresh ration card, the Delhi BJP chief said Kejriwal has only given a monument of corruption in the shape of ‘sheeshmahal’ (renovated official residence of CM), broken roads, inflated electricity bills and pollution.

“Kejriwal’s mysterious cough vanished when he was living in the ‘sheeshmahal’, while Delhiites were gasping for breath due to toxic air,” Sachdeva said.

--IANS

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