Swachh Bharat Abhiyan mere symbolism: Kejriwal

Responding to Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu's call to participate in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has dismissed the cleanliness drive as being merely "symbolic" and not enough to make the country clean.

In a Sep 23 letter addressed to Kejriwal, Naidu had appealed to the Aam Aadmi Party to "actively contribute in this Clean India drive and ensure people's participation in full."

In response to Naidu's call, the AAP chief said that while his party workers were already involved in cleanliness activities, "we cannot make India clean by such actions."

"It is being heard that on Oct 2, the Prime Minister will pick up the broom at Valmiki Sadan. It is good, though it is merely symbolic," Kejriwal said in his reply.

"Such a symbolic gesture may inspire people, but it is certainly not enough to make the country clean," the letter said.

The letter dated Sep 30 was made public, along with Naidu's communication, Tuesday.