Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J.P. Nadda. Gupta accused Kejriwal of spreading lies and attempting to divert attention from his own administrative failures.
Kejriwal's Criticism and Gupta's Response
Kejriwal had earlier questioned the BJP president's involvement in Delhi's governance, alleging that Nadda was interfering in the city's administration. In a series of posts on social media, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP president was issuing directives to Delhi officers, bypassing the elected government.
Reacting to these allegations, CM Gupta said, "Arvind Kejriwal has a habit of making baseless accusations when he is cornered. Instead of addressing the issues of Delhi's residents, he chooses to target national leaders. His comments are a reflection of his frustration over his own failed promises."
BJP's Counterattack
The Delhi BJP also came out in support of CM Gupta, with party spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor stating, "Kejriwal's allegations are completely false and motivated. The BJP president has always worked for the development of Delhi, and Kejriwal's lies will not mislead the public."
According to sources, the BJP has planned a counter-campaign to expose Kejriwal's "hypocrisy" and highlight the AAP government's unfulfilled promises, including the free water and electricity schemes. The party is expected to release a white paper on the AAP government's performance in the coming days.
Political Implications
Political analysts believe that this war of words is a precursor to the upcoming Delhi Municipal Corporation elections. The BJP is keen to regain control of the MCD, which it lost to the AAP in 2022. Kejriwal's attack on the BJP president is seen as an attempt to consolidate his party's support base.
CM Gupta, who took office in September, has been aggressively pushing the BJP's agenda, including the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme and the regularisation of unauthorised colonies. She has also been critical of the previous AAP government's handling of the city's infrastructure and pollution problems.
"The people of Delhi have seen through Kejriwal's theatrics. They want development and good governance, not empty slogans," Gupta added.
