Delhi Elections : Vote First, Land Later Kejriwal Alleges BJP Will Demolish Delhi Slum
As the battle for the Delhi elections intensifies, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to demolish slums in the capital if it wins the February 5 elections. Kejriwal’s claims came in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s criticism of the AAP’s governance.
Addressing slum dwellers in Delhi’s Shakur Basti area, Kejriwal accused the BJP of disregarding the needs of slum residents over the past five years. He alleged that the party was now seeking their votes for electoral gain. “The BJP does not love slum dwellers; it only wants their votes before elections and their land after elections,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal also claimed that Amit Shah had made derogatory remarks about him during a meeting with slum residents. “The words used by the Home Minister were shocking. However, I’m in politics to serve the people, not for my personal honor,” he added.
Amit Shah, during his address, took a swipe at Kejriwal, accusing him of spending excessively on his official residence, referring to it as a ‘sheeshmahal’ (palace). Shah juxtaposed this with the BJP’s promise to provide permanent housing for slum dwellers, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already given homes to over 3.58 crore poor people across India.
Shah also highlighted the BJP’s fulfillment of its promise to construct the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, contrasting it with Kejriwal’s emphasis on building toilets. “PM Modi has given a guarantee that every slum resident will get a permanent house,” he stated.
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Upcoming Delhi Elections
With over three million people living in Delhi’s 750 slums, their votes hold significant sway in 20 Assembly seats. Historically, slum dwellers have backed AAP, with 61% voting for the party in 2020, helping it secure 62 out of 70 seats. This demographic is once again a key battleground for both AAP and BJP.
The Delhi elections will take place on February 5, with results to be declared on February 8. As campaigns heat up, the focus on slum dwellers underscores their critical role in shaping the outcome.
