Robert Vadra, businessman and son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, hit out at the Delhi government on Saturday for exempting VIPs from its odd-even car rationing plan that starts on January 1, 2016. He wrote in a Facebook post that giving exemption was “hypocrisy” and that VIPs should come under the plan that aims to cut pollution.
“Odd and Even ways !! Creating parallel lists of exemption, is complete hypocrisy. If a law is implemented in the interest of the people, we all must adhere, and not be VIPs,” said Mr. Vadra.
AAP: Exemptions to VIPs for security reasons
The Aam Aadmi Party criticised businessman Robert Vadra for his ‘negative mindset.’ “We welcome all kinds of suggestions to make Delhi pollution-free, but the tone and tenor of Mr. Vadra smacks of a negative mindset. Pollution is one issue that affects everyone and we will have to make our own contributions and little sacrifices to make Delhi environment-friendly,” said AAP leader Ashutosh. Deepak Bajpai, the AAP’s spokesperson, said the government needed the support of everyone to make the odd-even plan successful.
“We had to give exemptions to VIPs keeping in account security issues. But, we have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage Ministers to carpool. Pollution is not a political issue.” said Mr. Bajpai. The BJP, however, jumped into the controversy by pointing to the “irony” in Mr. Vadra’s statement.
Nalin Kohli, the spokesperson of the BJP, was quoted by PTI as saying: “What an irony. Mr. Vadra all his life took privileges for not being an ordinary citizen and he is making a comment about exemptions.”
Earlier this year, Mr. Vadra had said he was “no VIP” and did not want to be exempted from frisking at airports, which is a privilege accorded to those who are provided Special Protection Group security.