Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, 15 May sharply criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for what it called deliberate attempts to mislead Delhi residents over the recent partial hike in petrol and diesel prices, arguing that rising international crude costs — driven by the ongoing Gulf conflict — leave the Government of India with limited room to absorb the increase.

BJP's Argument on International Oil Prices

Delhi BJP spokesperson Shankar Kapoor acknowledged that even a marginal fuel price increase burdens ordinary citizens, but maintained that the hike is a direct consequence of surging global oil prices. He argued that the Centre has, in fact, managed to keep the domestic pass-through to a minimum compared with other countries.

Kapoor pointed to comparative retail petrol prices to undercut AAP's criticism, stating that petrol is currently being sold at Rs 105 per litre in New York and Rs 92.50 per litre in Moscow — in Indian currency terms. He challenged AAP Delhi convenor Saurabh Bharadwaj to explain how crude purchased from Arab countries, the United States, or Russia could cost India any less given prevailing global market conditions.

Kapoor said that AAP leaders' statements on the issue are making them 'a subject of ridicule,' adding that the party's Delhi convenor 'lacks understanding of international issues.'

Liquor Scam Case: BJP Defends Judge's Recusal

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva separately addressed the decision by Delhi High Court Judge Swarna Kanta Sharma to withdraw from hearing the liquor scam case after filing a defamation suit over personal and family-related remarks allegedly made by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Sachdeva described the recusal as evidence of 'ideal judicial functioning and high personal ethics.'

According to Sachdeva, despite repeated warnings from Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, Kejriwal and other AAP leaders allegedly continued to make inappropriate remarks against the judge on social media and in public speeches. He said the judge was left with 'no option' but to file a contempt case to protect her personal and family dignity.

BJP Calls Kejriwal's 'Satyamev Jayate' Remark Absurd

Sachdeva took strong exception to Kejriwal's characterisation of the judge's recusal as a 'victory,' with Kejriwal reportedly invoking the phrase 'Satyamev Jayate' in response. The BJP president called this framing 'absurd,' arguing that Kejriwal now faces two legal cases instead of one — the original corruption matter and the fresh contempt proceedings.

Sachdeva warned that a contempt conviction could carry consequences more severe than the corruption case itself, and said using a constitutionally sacred phrase to describe what he characterised as a self-inflicted legal predicament amounted to an insult to the phrase's sanctity.

What Comes Next

The contempt case filed by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma against Kejriwal is expected to proceed separately, while the liquor scam case will now be heard by a different bench. On the fuel price front, any further revision will depend on the trajectory of international crude prices and the Centre's fiscal calculus. Both disputes are likely to remain flashpoints between the BJP and AAP ahead of upcoming electoral cycles in Delhi.