BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, who was the chief guest at a skill development programme for manual scavengers, praised the AAP government’s initiative in Delhi in the presence of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam.

The Shahdara district magistrate’s office organised a three-month skill development programme, wherein 28 manual scavengers would be trained in housekeeping. The trainees would get a stipend of Rs 1,000 per month with other facilities and an assured job in the housekeeping sector.

“The revolutionary works the AAP government did in education and health sectors despite several hiccups is commendable. I have never heard of swimming pools, gymnasium... at government schools anywhere but here they have it all,” Sinha said.

The BJP MP from Patna Sahib in Bihar was shown black flags by his party supporters who waited outside the venue as he appealed people to “shower their love and blessings” on Dilip Pandey, AAP’s northeast Lok Sabha constituency in-charge and probable candidate for the general elections.

The actor-turned-politician said: “They (other states and the centre) should learn from Sisodia and his government how revolutionary changes can be brought in education system.”

Indirectly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann ki Baat radio programme, Sinha said, “I know I cannot speak my mind or Mann ki Baat as someone has a patent on it, but I will speak from my heart. Imparting skill training to manual scavengers is a commendable effort. I consider myself fortunate to contribute.”

Delhi BJP spokesperson Aman Sinha said before attending the AAP’s programmes, Shatrughan Sinha must understand it is a government of advertisements.

Shatrughan Sinha concluded his speech by saying, “I am with AAP and will always be with them. Delhi government zindabad, AAP zindabad (hail Delhi govt, hail AAP).”