Delhi elections: Arvind Kejriwal writes to PM Modi, seeks 50% fare concession for students in metro

Arvind Kejriwal

Ahead of Delhi polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal said he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a 50 per cent subsidy on Delhi metro fares for school and college students.

"A large number of students use the metro in Delhi, which has become expensive. A common student faces a lot of problems in commuting it," he said.

The former chief minister also announced free bus rides for male students if his party his re-elected in the February 5 polls.

"Metro is the 50-50 venture of the Delhi government and the Central government...I have written a letter to the Prime Minister that students should be given a 50 per cent discount on the metro ticket," said Kejriwal.

"The expense that will come after giving the concession, that expense will be divided 50-50 between the Delhi government and the Central government. This is an issue of public interest, there is no politics in it. I hope PM will accept this... Post elections, travel for all students in Delhi buses will be free. We will provide a 50 per cent concession in metro fares for all Delhi students," he added.

Kejriwal's announcement came ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s manifesto for the Delhi Assembly polls, scheduled to be announced at around 2 pm by the party national president JP Nadda.

Delhi will vote in a single phase on February 5 and the results will be announced three days later. The national capital will see a three-way contest between AAP, which is looking to repeat its 2015 and 2020 performance, Congress and BJP, who are seeking to wrest power from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.