Delhi Election: Jaishankar Tears Into AAP, Says He Feels 'Ashamed' Abroad Due To National Capital's Plight

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a blistering attack on the AAP government in Delhi just days before the Assembly election, stating that he feels "ashamed" to admit abroad that residents of the national capital lack basic amenities.

Accusing AAP of failing to provide clean water, electricity, healthcare, housing, and other essential services, the Union Minister lamented that the city has been "left behind" and urged citizens to vote for a regime change in the forthcoming polls.

Photo Credit: x.com/DrSJaishankar

"Whenever I visit foreign countries, I hide one thing from the world. I feel ashamed to go abroad and say that people living in the national capital do not get houses, do not get cylinders, or piped water under Jal Jeevan Mission and do not get the benefit of Ayushman Bharat," he stated during an interaction with the South Indian community in Delhi.

"It is unfortunate that in the last 10 years, Delhi has been left behind. The residents of Delhi are not given their rights to water, electricity, gas cylinders, and healthcare. If the government here does not give you your rights, then on February 5, you should also consider changing this government," Jaishankar asserted.

Delhi is set to vote on February 5 for 70 Assembly seats in a three-way contest among AAP, BJP, and Congress. The BJP has consistently accused the incumbent AAP government of failing to address fundamental issues in the city despite ruling for a decade.

Jaishankar further alleged that as the capital, Delhi ought to be a model for the country's best developments, yet it has been lagging for the past 10 years.

Speaking at an election rally in the capital on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also accused AAP of corruption and harbouring illegal immigrants, claiming there was a strong wave against the party in Delhi. He criticised AAP for running a "3G" government of "Ghapla (corruption), Ghuspaithiyon ko panah (sheltering intruders), and Ghotala (scams)."

BJP leader Anurag Thakur, likewise, accused Arvind Kejriwal of making excuses instead of fulfilling his promises. The former Union Minister asserted that the 'lotus' would bloom in Delhi.

"He claimed he would clean Delhi's air, but pollution has worsened. He vowed to clean the Yamuna and even take a dip in it, yet the river remains heavily polluted. He promised clean drinking water, but people still struggle with a contaminated supply. He pledged well-maintained roads, but Delhi's streets have deteriorated under AAP," he said at an election rally.

With only days remaining, all three major parties in Delhi are engaged in an intense election campaign.