NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday launched a sharp salvo at AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of attempting to incite “religious conflict” in the capital ahead of Delhi assembly elections. Sachdeva alleged that Kejriwal wrote to the Election Commission, requesting the removal of Dalit voters from the Valmiki Temple area in Gol Market.
“Arvind Kejriwal wants to incite religious conflict in Delhi. He has requested the Election Commission to cut the votes of 44 Dalit voters near Valmiki Temple. Why? Because they are Dalits,” Sachdeva claimed, adding that Kejriwal had previously insulted Purvanchalis and was now targeting Dalits to further caste politics.
Sachdeva also highlighted alleged bias in Kejriwal’s approach. “There is a Mazar near the Valmiki Temple with 60 registered voters, none of whom live in the area, but Kejriwal has not requested their removal. He is targeting Hindu Dalits instead,” he alleged.
BJP Patel Nagar candidate Raaj Kumar Anand echoed these sentiments, claiming Kejriwal was under pressure. “Sources suggest Kejriwal might contest from another seat as well, indicating his lack of confidence in the elections. If he loses, how will he remain the chief minister?” Anand asked.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also launched a scathing attack, calling Kejriwal the “kingpin” of the alleged liquor scam. “Kejriwal came to power promising schools but delivered liquor shops. During Covid-19, when people were struggling, he was busy building his ‘Sheesh Mahal.’ Delhi won’t forgive him for this,” Chugh asserted.
The BJP has ramped up criticism of the AAP-led government, accusing it of corruption, inefficiency in welfare schemes, and failing to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis. The party has gone as far as branding AAP’s governance as an “AAPda” (disaster).
Meanwhile, AAP has retaliated, labeling the BJP as the “Galli Galoch Party” and accusing it of engaging in dishonest tactics and electoral fraud.
The Delhi assembly elections are set for February 5, with results announced on February 8. Nominations close on January 17, with scrutiny on January 18 and withdrawals allowed until January 20.
The Congress, once dominant in Delhi for 15 years, continues to struggle, failing to secure any seats in the last two elections. AAP, on the other hand, swept the 2020 elections with 62 out of 70 seats, leaving BJP with only eight.
