A day before the Delhi Assembly polls, the Shiv Sena today heaped praises on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his government’s “ideal” work in the last five years, and said the Centre should have replicated the ‘Delhi model’ of development in other states.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana,’ the Shiv Sena heaped praises on Kejriwal.

The Sena, which currently rules Maharashtra in alliance with the NCP and the Congress, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah should have felicitated Kejriwal for fulfilling the promises in Delhi.
“PM Modi and Amit Shah are leaving no stone unturned in Delhi Assembly elections. They (BJP) could not come to power in Maharashtra and lost in Jharkhand. Therefore, the BJP wants to win Delhi and there is nothing wrong in it,” the editorial said.

“With the aim of winning the Delhi polls, 200 MPs from across the country, chief ministers of all the BJP-ruled states and the entire Union Cabinet are in the arena. Despite that Kejriwal has clearly emerged stronger than them,” the Sena said.

“There could be differences of opinion on Kejriwal’s views and style of functioning,” it said, adding, “But despite having limited power in hand and the hurdles created by the Centre, his government’s work in the fields of healthcare, education, civic amenities is ideal.”

“Children from poor families study in government-run schools in Delhi and such schools have turned ideal. The mohalla clinics there are doing good work. Water and electricity tariffs were either waived or halved. It means the promises that Kejriwal had given were fulfilled.”

The piece also hit out at the BJP for calling Kejriwal a ‘terrorist’.

“BJP also called him (Kejriwal) a terrorist. If he is one, why doesn’t BJP arrest him? Is BJP trying to say that in 2014, 70% Delhi voters voted for a terrorist? The PM’s campaign speeches are only focused on Batla House and Section 370. BJP should not bring the PM down to this level.

“Kejriwal has emerged as stronger than others. Delhi’s voters are mature enough, so they don’t need anybody’s advice,” the Shiv Sena concluded.