Arvind Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat on Monday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener questioned the BJP government's intent and accused it of expropriating public resources.
Rs 2 Crore Samosa Controversy
Kejriwal highlighted an RTI reply received by AAP Gujarat working president Chaitar Vasava. The response came from the Narmada district administration regarding expenses for the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations on November 15 last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event marking Birsa Munda's birth anniversary.
The RTI details revealed startling figures. Out of a total expenditure of Rs 23 crores, Rs 2 crores were specifically allocated for catering services. Kejriwal expressed outrage over this allocation.
"Who ate samosas worth Rs 2 crore?" Kejriwal demanded during his address to AAP workers. He emphasized that the funds were meant for tribal development. "This was a grant intended for tribal welfare. The Prime Minister has no shortage of funds. He could have used any other central government budget for such expenses. Why dip into tribal funds for samosas?"
Breakdown of Catering Costs
The RTI reply included invoices from Ahmedabad-based SK caterers. The documents provided a detailed breakdown:
- Rs 41.62 lakh spent on 46,250 units of morning food packs
- Rs 1.53 crore spent on 84,750 food packets
- Rs 6.5 lakh spent on 65,000 packets of biscuits
Additionally, nearly Rs 3 crores were spent on constructing the stage, dome, and other pandals for the event. Kejriwal contrasted these lavish expenditures with the purpose of the tribal development grant.
Vadodara MLAs' Letter Adds Fuel
Kejriwal also referenced a letter written by five Vadodara BJP MLAs to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The legislators complained about bureaucrats ignoring their development suggestions. The MLAs included Shailesh Mehta, Ketan Inamdar, Dharmendrasinh Vaghela, Akshay Patel, and Chaitanyasinh Zala.
"This letter sends a clear message to the people," Kejriwal stated. "The BJP is incapable of solving problems. I am told that when the CM received this letter, he admitted that officials don't even listen to him. Gujarat was once the richest and most prosperous state. Today, the BJP has expropriated everything—roads, seeds for farmers, education, employment."
Broader Accusations Against BJP
Kejriwal made several other serious allegations during his speech. He accused the BJP of handing out liquor and drugs to unemployed youth. "If your children ask for employment, they get spurious liquor. If they ask again, they receive heroin or cocaine. The BJP has destroyed Gujarat over 30 years," he claimed.
He also raised the January 2018 Harni boat tragedy that killed 14 people, including 12 students. Kejriwal alleged that the BJP denied justice to the victims' families. "I met these grieving families. Two years have passed without justice. The contractors were BJP people. When mothers tried to meet the CM, police dragged them away. Is this the government you want?"
Political Context and AAP's Ambitions
Kejriwal's address came during an event organized in preparation for the 2027 Gujarat Assembly polls. He urged AAP workers to meet five voters daily to build support. He positioned AAP as the only alternative to the BJP in Gujarat.
"I asked a Congress leader why they don't fight the BJP here," Kejriwal shared. "He told me they have joint businesses with them. How can they fight? Only AAP can defeat the BJP in Gujarat."
Kejriwal's comments reflect growing political tensions in Gujarat. The allegations about fund misuse and bureaucratic dysfunction aim to undermine BJP's governance narrative. The detailed RTI data provides concrete ammunition for these attacks.
The controversy over tribal grant expenditures adds to existing criticisms of the BJP administration. Kejriwal's forceful rhetoric signals AAP's determined push to expand its presence in Gujarat ahead of crucial elections.
