Delhi BJP Chief Accuses Kejriwal of Deception and Corruption, Demands Accountability on Promises and Yamuna Cleanup
New Delhi – In a scathing attack on the first day of 2025, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva launched a blistering critique of AAP national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of perpetuating a pattern of falsehoods and corruption. Sachdeva, in an open letter addressed to Kejriwal, implored him to cease making empty promises to vulnerable demographics, including women, senior citizens, and children. The BJP leader specifically highlighted the dismal state of the Yamuna River, demanding an apology from Kejriwal for the government’s alleged failure to address its pollution. This latest salvo marks an escalation in the ongoing political feud between the BJP and AAP in the capital.
Sachdeva’s letter underscores the BJP’s consistent condemnation of Kejriwal’s governance, alleging unfulfilled promises and a lack of transparency. The BJP has particularly targeted AAP’s flagship schemes aimed at women’s welfare, accusing the government of failing to provide adequate financial backing or concrete implementation plans. Schemes such as the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani scheme have been singled out by BJP leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, as examples of AAP’s alleged mismanagement. Kejriwal, in response, has defended his government’s initiatives, claiming that the BJP has actively obstructed their progress. This exchange further fuels the political tension between the two parties.
The contentious issue of the Yamuna River cleanup has also been a focal point of the BJP’s criticism. The party alleges that the AAP government has fallen short of its commitments to restore the river’s health, pointing to the persistent pollution levels as evidence of its failure. Sachdeva’s demand for an apology from Kejriwal underscores the BJP’s attempt to hold the AAP accountable for its environmental record. This ongoing dispute over the Yamuna’s condition reflects the broader political battle over environmental issues in Delhi.
Adding another layer to the political conflict, the BJP has also targeted AAP’s newly announced Pujari Granthi Samman Rashi Scheme. This scheme proposes a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 for priests (pujaris) of temples and granthis of Gurdwaras in Delhi, contingent on AAP’s victory in the upcoming elections. The BJP has denounced the scheme as an election-motivated ploy, accusing Kejriwal of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain. Sachdeva’s pointed remark that "the AAP remembers Lord Rama only when they think they are losing the election" reflects the BJP’s attempt to portray AAP’s outreach to religious leaders as opportunistic.
The BJP’s critique extends further to allege discrepancies in AAP’s allocation of funds to religious leaders. Sachdeva has highlighted what he claims is a disparity in funding between Muslim and Hindu religious figures, accusing the AAP government of favoring Muslim clerics, including Maulanas and Imams, while neglecting priests and granthis. He referenced a figure of Rs 58.3 crore allegedly given to Muslim clerics since 2013, demanding an explanation from Kejriwal for this purported imbalance. This accusation of biased funding resonates with the BJP’s long-standing demand for equitable compensation for temple priests.
The BJP’s multifaceted attack on Kejriwal and the AAP underscores the intensifying political rivalry in Delhi. Sachdeva’s demand for accountability on promises, the Yamuna cleanup, and the allocation of funds to religious leaders signals the BJP’s strategy to challenge AAP’s governance and highlight its perceived shortcomings. Kejriwal’s defense of his government’s initiatives and his counter-accusations of BJP obstructionism set the stage for a continued and potentially escalating political confrontation in the capital. The upcoming elections promise to be a critical test for both parties, with the BJP seeking to capitalize on these alleged vulnerabilities and the AAP striving to maintain its hold on power.