An engineer-turned-businessman from Visakhapatnam has sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Rs 364 to buy a pair of formal shoes.
Reason -- The businessman Sumit Agrawal says he was “deeply aggrieved” to find Kejriwal wearing sandals during a state banquet hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan against the prescribed dress code.
The Delhi chief minister was seen wearing sandals during the banquet hosted in honour of French President Francois Hollande on January 26.
Agrawal sent a demand draft of Rs 364 to Kejriwal on Monday by speed post and said he took to the streets to collect money by following the footsteps of the Aam Aadmi Party leader.
“It broke my heart to see you like this. I’m deeply aggrieved,” Agarwal said in an open letter to Kejriwal, adding certain protocols have dictated the democratic set up and international relations and everyone must respect them.
Severely critical of Kejriwal, the young businessman said the Delhi CM was representing the country that day at Rashtrapati Bhavan and not staging a dharna at an Aam Aadmi Partyrally at Ramlila Maidan or Jantar Mantar.
“You’re a grown man. Please act according to the situation and and to the occasion,” he said.
Kejriwal’s office refused to comment on the issue.
The businessman also explained how he collected the money. “I initially had plans to contribute some money from my own pocket. However, since I’m against donations to any political party, I decided against it and followed your footsteps instead. I took to the streets to gather money to fund a pair of footwear for you.
“Sir, I know that this is a very small amount, but it is the result of the effort of an entire Sunday afternoon of hard work. I had initiated the collection with an initial contribution of Rs 49,” he wrote.
He futher said “Though such a modest amount is not enough for a CM, I believe any amount is good enough for the someone who claims that he has no shoes despite having a monthly salary of ‘only’ Rs 2,10,000”.
Image: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal wearing sandals at the banquet held by President Pranab Mukherjee in honour of the French President Francois Hollande. Photograph: PTI
