Health-conscious Delhiites can continue attending free yoga classes as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is determined to impart the lessons to all the two-crore people in the national capital “to keep diseases at bay”.

“If I had to beg on the streets to provide money for classes, I will, and pay you whatever you charge, but the classes will not be stopped. Our goal is to take the current 17, 000 strength (people availing the classes) to 17 lakh and two crore,” Kejriwal said.

His passionate statement comes amid a row over the ‘Dilli ki yogshala’ programme, launched last December. Over 17, 000 people at 590 parks are availing of the free classes being extended under the initiative. However, the Lieutenant Governor has reportedly refused to accord sanction for an extension of the programme beyond October 31.

“Yoga classes in Delhi will not be stopped…They play petty politics to stop the programme…but Delhi’s two crore people will not let them succeed,” the chief minister said, as he appealed to all the yoga teachers to continue the classes from November 2 as per schedule.

“We have constructed better hospitals, medicines facilities, mohalla clinics, and other facilities to provide treatment if people get sick, but we thought why should people get sick? To ensure better health and lifestyle, we started the yoga programme to help keep the diseases at bay,” Kejriwal was quoted as saying.

He said the yoga programme will be started in Punjab and Gujarat if AAP comes to power in these states.