With the Delhi Assembly elections around the corner, the political battle has intensified between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal delivered a strong rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Sheeshmahal” (glass palace) remark, leveling sharp accusations against the BJP’s governance.
Key Points of the Exchange
1. Kejriwal’s Counter to ‘Sheeshmahal’
- PM Modi recently referred to the Delhi CM’s residence as a “Sheeshmahal”, implying extravagance.
- Kejriwal responded by highlighting:
- PM Modi lives in a house worth ₹2,700 crores.
- He travels in a private jet costing ₹8,400 crores.
- He wears ₹10 lakh suits, suggesting these actions are inconsistent with criticizing others for extravagance.
2. BJP’s ‘Aapda’ (Crisis) Jibe
- PM Modi accused the AAP government of failing Delhi over the past decade, referring to it as an “Aapda” (disaster) for the capital.
- Kejriwal turned the tables, asserting that the real crises are within the BJP, listing three key issues:
- Lack of a chief ministerial face in Delhi.
- No clear election narrative.
- Absence of an agenda for governance.
3. Achievements vs. Promises
Kejriwal detailed AAP’s achievements over the past decade and contrasted them with BJP’s unmet promises:
- Healthcare:
- AAP built 530 mohalla clinics and five new hospitals, while the BJP did not expand healthcare infrastructure significantly.
- Housing:
- BJP promised to provide permanent housing to all Delhi residents by 2022 but delivered only 4,700 homes in five years against the city’s need for 1.5 million homes.
- BJP allegedly displaced 2,78,796 people by demolishing slums without adequate rehabilitation.
- Basic Services:
- AAP highlighted significant improvements in education, electricity, water, and roads.
Context: AAP’s Defensive Strategy
With elections scheduled for February and dates expected soon, Kejriwal’s response aims to refocus the narrative on:
- AAP’s governance achievements in healthcare, infrastructure, and basic amenities.
- BJP’s perceived failures to deliver on its promises and address issues faced by the urban poor.
Conclusion: Political Battle Intensifies
As Delhi heads into a high-stakes electoral battle, the rhetoric between AAP and BJP underscores competing visions for the capital’s development. With Kejriwal calling attention to his government’s track record and BJP highlighting shortcomings, the contest is poised to be a referendum on both governance models and campaign strategies.
Curious Corner:
Can AAP’s track record in education and healthcare overpower BJP’s national presence and promises in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections?
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