Delhi's Power Minister Disputes Kejriwal's Power Outage Claims
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Synopsis
Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood has strongly countered claims made by Arvind Kejriwal regarding power outages in the Jagatpur Extension area, asserting that the situation has improved and that allegations are politically motivated.
Key Takeaways
- Ashish Sood denies Kejriwal's claims on power outages.
- Reported outages are characterized as minor incidents.
- Data shows an average of 59 power cuts daily.
- Planned outages for maintenance were cited.
- Both BJP and Congress promise free electricity if they win.
New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood categorically rejected the assertions made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal regarding power outages in the Jagatpur Extension area of the national capital.
Sood described Kejriwal's allegations as inflated and driven by political motives.
He confirmed that the electricity situation in the area has improved, characterizing the reported outages as minor events rather than extensive disruptions.
On social media, Sood challenged Kejriwal's claims, pointing out that data from the past year indicates a total of 21,597 power outages lasting an hour or more, averaging 59 outages daily.
Additionally, he dismissed Kejriwal's assertion that there have been no power cuts in the last decade as misleading, accusing him of disseminating falsehoods.
To substantiate his position, Sood mentioned planned outages for maintenance and shared data from January 2025 which recorded 3,278 power outages.
He emphasized the improvements made during his tenure compared to the previous government and highlighted initiatives such as a 24×7 control room, collaborative monitoring with DISCOMs and DTL, and the ability to procure additional power when necessary.
Sood criticized Kejriwal for his lack of administrative experience, claiming that his team concealed crucial information.
Using data from the State Load Dispatch Centre, he countered the AAP leader's statements and reaffirmed the efforts to maintain a stable power supply throughout Delhi.
As the Delhi Assembly Elections approach, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have pledged to continue providing free electricity to the residents if they succeed in defeating the AAP.
The free electricity scheme initiated by the previous AAP government was viewed as highly popular among Delhi residents.
According to political analysts, this free electricity initiative significantly enhanced the AAP's credibility among the populace. However, the party faced severe credibility issues due to corruption allegations and the incarceration of key leaders, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh, ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
The leadership change following Kejriwal's bail in relation to the Delhi excise policy case, which saw Atishi take charge, did little to bolster the AAP's campaign strategy before the elections.
Kejriwal has promised to take a leadership role if the AAP wins, but after achieving a significant majority in the 2015 and 2020 elections, the party only secured 22 seats this time.
The BJP won 48 seats and subsequently formed the government under the leadership of Rekha Gupta.
