Delhi Election: Kejriwal Accuses BJP Of Turning City Into 'Crime Capital', Saffron Party Stages Protest

On Friday, Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of transforming Delhi into the "crime capital of India".

Speaking at a rally ahead of the February 5 Delhi election, Kejriwal claimed that BJP's neglect and "hatred" towards Delhi were the reasons for their inability to gain power in the city for the last 25 years.

Pointing out issues such as robberies, chain snatchings, and gang wars, Kejriwal alleged that Delhi had become unsafe for women to go out.

Kejriwal assured the people of Delhi that if AAP forms the government, funds will be provided to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to hire private security guards, aiming to enhance safety without replacing the police force.

He also criticised the BJP, calling it a "dharna party" and accusing it of dividing voters from Purvanchal under the pretext of the Rohingya issue.

"BJP has made Delhi the crime capital of India. There are robberies, chain snatchings, and gang wars in Delhi; it has become difficult for women to get out of their houses. BJP hates the people of Delhi. Due to their hatred, they have not returned to power in Delhi in the last 25 years. I have assured the people of Delhi that on forming the AAP government, RWAs will get funds from the Delhi government to appoint private security guards in their respective areas. It is not our aim to replace the Police... BJP has become a dharna party now. Yesterday, I went to the Election Commission to complain that the BJP is cutting votes of the people of Purvanchal in the name of Rohingyas," ANI quoted Kejriwal as saying.

Meanwhile, BJP workers staged a protest outside Kejriwal's residence on Feroze Shah Road, condemning his comments on Purvanchal voters. The police had to use water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, intensifying the political tension in the capital.

The Delhi BJP staged the protest against AAP, accusing them of making "false" claims about the registration of voters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the electoral rolls ahead of the assembly election.

Hundreds of protesters raised slogans against Kejriwal, with some trying to breach the security barricade near his residence. The police used water cannons to prevent them from breaching the security.

Regarding his earlier claims, Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of manipulating the electoral rolls by registering "fake" voters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in his constituency, New Delhi, ahead of the Delhi elections.

In a formal complaint to the Election Commission, Kejriwal raised concerns over the addition of 13,000 new voters between December 15 and January 8.

Kejriwal stated, "Apparently, many of these voters have been brought in from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other neighbouring states to create fake voter registrations. This manipulation undermines the election process."

Kejriwal's remarks immediately sparked backlash from BJP leaders, who condemned his comments.

The elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly are scheduled for February 5, with results to be announced following the vote count on February 8.

(With PTI inputs)