Kejriwal begins fast against Delhi’s `inflated’ utility bills

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal today began an indefinite hunger strike against what he called ''illegal'' increases in power and water bills in the national capital.

Kejriwal began an indefinite fast this morning at a house near the sub-divisional magistrate's office in Sunder Nagri area in East Delhi, ahead of launching a Gandhi-style 'civil disobedience movement' against the Delhi administration's random hikes in power and water tariffs.

The AAP leader said the owner of the house, where he is staging his protest, had to borrow money to pay his water and electricity bills.

Kejriwal visited Raj Ghat before proceeding to the home of one Santosh in Sundar Nagri where he began his fast.

He said the Delhi government is blind to the plight of the common people and continues to make money through inflated utility bills, which the poor consumer has to inevitably pay.

Kejriwal said the lives of the common man have become miserable due to the rampant corruption.

"The price of electricity and water has been increased in Delhi only because of the corruption. The government was repeatedly told to do something in this regard, but it is grossed deep in corruption," he said.

Kejriwal also alleged collusion between Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and power and water companies to illegally increase rates.

Citing the Mahatma's protests against the British, Kejriwal said his fast too is aimed at uniting the citizens of the national capital against the anti-people policies of the Delhi government.

''The time has come to motivate people against illegal rise in taxes by the Delhi government,'' Kejriwal had said yesterday.

Members of the AAP will join the protest in all the 264 wards across Delhi and launch a door-to-door campaign, asking people not to pay the inflated bills.