Middle class not an ATM, it's the 'real superpower': Arvind Kejriwal's tax jab at BJP

Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party leader (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal called for an increase in the Income Tax (IT) exemption limit from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, citing the heavy financial burden on the middle class. He urged the Centre to identify the middle class as the "real superpower" and provide them some relief in the Union Budget.

In another demand, he asked for the removal of GST on essential goods, which he argued disproportionately affects middle class households.

Kejriwal claimed that the middle class gives more than 50 percent of their income in taxes, if all taxes are added up. "How can he/she dare to fulfill their dreams amid this tax terrorism?" he asked. He also said that his party spends tax money on their welfare, including education, healthcare, and barring private schools from increasing fees.

In a video message released on Wednesday, he said, "The relationship between the government and the middle class is strange. They don't do anything for the middle class. But whenever the government needs to, they target the middle class through tax. Middle class pays huge taxes, but gets nothing in return. India's middle class has been reduced to the government's ATM. It is a victim of tax terrorism."

"The truth is that for a young middle class couple, family planning has now become a financial decision. Before having a child, they ask themselves if they can afford the upbringing. Where have we reached," he said, adding that people were leaving the country due to high taxes.

BJP leader RP Singh slammed Kejriwal over his allegations of tax terrorism and said: "What has he given to middle class? He promised free WiFi, where is it? he promised clean water for free. Where is water free? every household uses an RO machine. He had admitted he couldn't provide clean water. He is talking about education, every year, more than 1.5 lakh students are made to drop out in Classes 9 and 11 to improve their board results. What about their future?"