Gadkari's allegations on 'Congress deal' are RUBBISH: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday rubbished the allegations made by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Gadkari -- that a deal had been brokered between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress by an industrialist to form the government -- and asked him to provide evidence.

"It is sad that a senior leader like Gadkari is talking nonsense. If he is making claims, then he should also give evidence," Kejriwal told reporters.

Kejriwal said there is no truth in the allegations and reiterated that there is no "deal" between the AAP and the Congress or the BJP.

"There is no deal with the Congress or the BJP. We are here to work for the people. If we pass the floor test in Delhi assembly, we will run the government. Otherwise, we will once again go to the people," Kejriwal said.

Meanwhile, in keeping with its promise to end the VIP culture, the AAP government in Delhi has decided that the red beacon will not be used by ministers and officials.

The decision was taken at the first Cabinet meeting presided by Kejriwal.

"No minister or official in the Delhi government will use red beacon," a senior official in the Delhi government said after the meeting.

The cabinet also decided that no Personal Security Officer and escort vehicle will be provided to any official.

"Security will be allowed based on the threat perception," the official said.

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to end VIP culture in Delhi.

Later, the chief minister said there will be no witch-hunt against bureaucrats.

"I have asked them to work with honesty," he said.

There were apprehensions among certain bureaucrats, who were close to the previous regime, that they may be targeted by the new dispensation.

The new government in Delhi will decide on its promise of supplying 700 litre of free water to each household and cutting down electricity charges early next week, Kejriwal said.

"I have asked officials to work it out. By Monday, I will be able to say something," Kejriwal said on his promise of supplying 700 litre of water.

"On power, we will be able to say something by Tuesday or Wednesday," he told reporters after a series of meetings with officials from various departments including power, transport, vigilance and the Delhi Jal Board.

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to slash power tariff by 50 per cent besides carrying out scrutiny of the accounts of private power distribution companies.

"In my meeting with the officials, I told them you work with honesty and in the interest of people, I will protect you," he said.

Kejriwal, who lives in Kausambi in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, said his team was looking for a house in Delhi and he would shift within two-three days.

The AAP government in Delhi will seek a vote of confidence on January 2 on the floor of the Delhi assembly.

The session of the assembly will begin on January 1 and the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker has been fixed for January 3, a Delhi government press release said.