Arvind Kejriwal takes a dig at TMC ahead of Goa polls, says 'TMC is not even in the race'

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's national Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the media give too much importance to Trinamool Congress (TMC) and claimed the Mamata Banerjee-led party is "not even in the race".

"I think you (media) people give a lot of importance to TMC. I think it doesn't even have a one per cent vote share as of now. It came to Goa only 3 months back, democracy doesn't work like this. You need to work hard, you need to work among people. I don't think TMC is even in the race," Kejriwal said on being asked about a pre-poll alliance with the TMC while addressing a press conference in Panaji.

When asked about his silence on the TMC, he said: "There are 1,350 parties in the country, should I start mentioning everyone."

Kejriwal assured a "corruption-free and honest" government in Goa if the AAP is voted to power in the Assembly polls due next year.

"We will provide the first corruption-free and honest government in Goa," he claimed.

He said the guarantee was made based on the track record of the AAP's Delhi government, where its minister was sacked for seeking a bribe from a shopkeeper.

"Ministers or MLAs won't be spared from punishment if they are found demanding bribe," the Delhi chief minister said.

If the AAP is voted to power in Goa, its government will also stop petty level corruption by introducing doorstep delivery of services, Kejriwal said.

We have already introduced doorstep delivery of services in Delhi. All the government services would be available at your doorstep, he said.

In Delhi, government officers visit an applicant's residence to collect the documents, and a similar system will be introduced in Goa, he said.

"Right from your panchayat work to the assistance from the chief minister, everything will be at your doorstep, he said.

The AAP leader also claimed that if his party comes to power in Goa, people will see huge changes within a month in the way of the government's functioning.

The government will also help the industrial houses to conduct their business in the state, he said.

The AAP government would facilitate the re-entry of industries, which have left the coastal state, by providing them all the required assistance, Kejriwal said.

In the 2017 Goa Assembly elections, AAP did not win a single seat in the 40-member House.