In the heated battle for Delhi elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, making bold claims about mismanagement and neglect in the capital.
Amit Shah’s Criticism
Addressing a ‘Slum Dwellers’ conference in Delhi, Amit Shah alleged:
• “Sheesh Mahal” Controversy: Shah claimed that the toilet in Kejriwal’s official residence, dubbed the “Sheesh Mahal,” costs more than the entire slums, symbolizing the alleged disconnect between AAP’s promises and its actions.
• Neglect of Basic Facilities: The BJP leader criticized the AAP government for failing to provide clean water and livable conditions for slum dwellers, citing Delhi’s deteriorating pollution levels and chaotic urban state as evidence.
• Accusations of Mismanagement: Shah accused the AAP government of turning Delhi into a “living hell,” with dirty water, garbage-filled streets, polluted rivers, and broken roads dominating the landscape.
• PM Modi’s Housing Guarantee: Shah highlighted that under PM Modi’s leadership, over 3.58 crore poor people across India have been provided permanent houses, promising similar benefits to Delhi’s slum residents under BJP governance.
Kejriwal’s Response
In a swift rebuttal, Arvind Kejriwal accused Amit Shah of fabricating lies:
• Defensive Stance: Kejriwal asserted that the BJP leader’s allegations were false and an attempt to malign his image.
• Call to Action: Kejriwal stated that Delhi’s residents, particularly the slum dwellers, would respond decisively at the polls.
• Counterattack: Kejriwal announced plans to hold a press conference from a slum at risk of demolition to expose alleged BJP plans to evict slum dwellers post-election, promising to back his claims with evidence.
Political Context
As election momentum builds in Delhi, the rivalry between BJP and AAP intensifies. The contrasting narratives highlight BJP’s focus on alleged governance failures and AAP’s rebuttals defending their welfare-centric achievements. The outcome hinges on voter perception, with slum dwellers likely playing a pivotal role in the election results.
Both leaders’ strategies underscore the high stakes, framing the election as a clash between promises of modernization and accountability versus welfare and grassroots engagement.
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