Extending support to agitating sanitation workers in the city, Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked the Centre and the Delhi government, accusing them of making only tall promises and shirking responsibility when it comes to delivery.
Assuring the workers that they were now his ‘responsibility’, the Congress vice president interacted with the striking 'safai karamcharis' of East Delhi Municipal Corporation at Patparganj, where its office is located, and said he was ready to join their dharna.
The workers are on a strike since June 2 to protest against non-payment salary dues, leading to piling of garbage on streets which is causing inconvenience to residents.
"I was talking to the women workers and they told me that tall promises have been made to them but nothing has changed and they are where they were before," Rahul said addressing the protesters.
"You go to the Delhi government, it says Centre is responsible. You go to the Centre, it says Delhi Government is responsible. These are all excuses and you will not get anything till you show your strength. And I want to make it clear that I will take your responsibility,” he said,
"I want to give whatever strength I have to you. I have time. You tell me and I will stay here for one, two or even 10 hours. This step you have taken is in the right direction. You will not get anything by asking. You have to organise and show your strength," he said, adding he was ready to sit on dharna with them.
Dressed in a blue denim and white kurta, Rahul sat on the ground among the sanitation workers and listened to their grievances.
He was accompanied by the All India Congress Committee in-charge for Delhi, P C Chacko, and DPCC president Ajay Maken.
"You are a soldier. Your strength should be visible here. You should speak up. As I have said, call me whenever you need. I can be here for 15 days if you want," Rahul said as the workers cheered.
As soon as the Congress leader began interaction with the workers, his office tweeted, "Rahul Gandhi speaking to the protesting safai karamcharis about delay in salary payments &other issues faced by them."
Due to the ongoing strike of Municipal Corporation of Delhi workers, garbage has piled up at various localities in the national capital, including the busy market areas in Delhi.
Both North Delhi Municipal Corporation and East Delhi Municipal Corporation are cash-strapped, unable to pay salaries of many employees. A section of the striking sanitation workers have lately been protesting against the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation after the corporations held Kejriwal government ‘responsible’ for their financial woes.
Kejriwal had announced that his government will release pending salaries of sanitation workers, doctors and teachers of two municipal corporations for April and May.
