Delhi betrayed in just 5 months: Arvind Kejriwal vs BJP showdown over demolitions

India Today

8 hours ago

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the BJP government of bulldozing slum settlements to benefit its "rich friends", warning that the ruling dispensation would not complete its term if the demolitions continue. The BJP, however, dismissed Kejriwal's protest as a "flop show", calling him a "double-faced leader" who failed the poor during Covid-19.Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal claimed the BJP, which returned to power in Delhi after 25 years, had betrayed its promise of "Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan" and instead was clearing slums within months of forming the government. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving "fake guarantees" and warned that his party would launch a fresh agitation if demolitions were not stopped.advertisement"It's been only five months of this (BJP) government in Delhi, and the people are forced to come to Jantar Mantar to protest against them. Before the (Assembly) elections, I had asked you not to vote for them because your 'jhuggi' is their target. They are destroying Delhi. In this hot weather, they are making the poor homeless," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said.
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'liar', Kejriwal said, "PM Modi's guarantees are fake. He promised 'Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan'. The truth is: 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maidan'. They want to clear your land and hand it over to their friends".He warned Delhi's new BJP administration, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, "If you don't stop bulldozing homes, your government will not complete five years. It will be gone in three years. The Congress government was toppled from this very Jantar Mantar during the Anna Andolan — we will start another andolan (protest) if needed".advertisementAccusing the BJP of planning to scrap Delhi's free electricity scheme, Kejriwal added, "What I say turns out true. I told you they will bulldoze your homes — they did. Now I am telling you they will stop free electricity within a year". He also targeted both national parties. "BJP and Congress fought Delhi polls together. They are Behen Bhai. Both are pro-rich and anti-poor. Instead of working for people, they are busy playing FIR-FIR game — filing cases against Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Satyendar Jain. Delhi didn't vote for this FIR circus," the AAP chief said. Urging people not to trust the BJP's promises, he said, "Never trust Modi ki Guarantee. Like a fake product, his guarantees are fake," Kejriwal added. Hitting back at Kejriwal, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said AAP's rally had failed to draw real support from slum dwellers. "The so-called public meeting in the name of jhuggi residents flopped. Kejriwal showed his anarchic and unconstitutional face again," Sachdeva said.He accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, saying, "This is the same leader who forced poor slum dwellers out of Delhi during COVID instead of giving them protection. Today he sheds crocodile tears for them".advertisementSachdeva also claimed that AAP leaders were misleading people and inciting them to attack the Prime Minister's residence. "Their call to storm the PM's house shows their Naxalite face. Civil society has no place for such words," he said.He added that while Kejriwal built a 'palace' for himself, he failed to allot ready flats in areas like Narela and Bawana to slum residents. "The BJP government is committed to giving better lives to those forced to live in inhuman conditions near drains and railway lines. We have already rehabilitated families in Kalka Ji, Jailerwala Bagh, Kalandar Colony and Kathputli Colony. The Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan drive will continue," the BJP chief said.- EndsMust Watch