NEW DELHI, Jan 12: AAP national leader Arvind Kejriwal asserted on Sunday that if the BJP secures power in the forthcoming assembly elections, they will destroy all slums in Delhi.
While addressing a press conference in Shakur Basti, the former chief minister leveled accusations against the BJP, stating that they prioritize land acquisition over the well-being of slum residents.
“They seek your votes first and will take your land once elections are over,” Kejriwal remarked, pointing to the BJP’s intentions.
There was no prompt response from the BJP.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw all legal actions against those residing in ‘jhuggis’ and to resettle the displaced within 24 hours, pledging not to contest the elections should the BJP comply.
“I won’t participate in the elections if Amit Shah rescinds all charges against the slum dwellers or displaced individuals. If the BJP does nothing, I will run and serve as their advocate. Let’s see who truly aims to end their existence,” Kejriwal asserted.
Additionally, he critiqued the BJP’s ‘Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makaan’ initiative, labeling it mere deception.
“In a decade, they have constructed just 4,700 homes for slum dwellers, while Delhi hosts 4 lakh ‘jhuggis.’ At this pace, it would take 1,000 years to accommodate every slum dweller in the city,” he stated.
Kejriwal further claimed that the BJP aims to seize land currently inhabited by slum residents without adequately addressing their housing requirements.
“They intend to clear out all the slums and seize the land, showing no care for the people living there,” he continued.
Resonating with these sentiments, senior AAP figure Manish Sisodia stated on X, “Arvind Kejriwal has unveiled every falsehood and intrigue spun by Amit Shah against the people dwelling in ‘jhuggis.’ Over the last decade, the BJP has left 3 lakh residents of ‘jhuggis’ without homes. Now, they plan to demolish every ‘jhuggi’ across Delhi. Remember, this is a bulldozer party. If you cast your vote for the BJP, all these ‘jhuggis’ will vanish within a year.”
Kejriwal was joined by senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the party’s candidate from Shakur Basti, who is campaigning for re-election in this constituency for the fourth time, having previously won in 2013, 2015, and 2020.
Delhi is scheduled to vote on February 5, with results to be revealed on February 8.
The AAP, which captured 62 out of 70 seats in Delhi during the 2020 elections, aims for a third consecutive full term. (PTI)
