Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva slams Kejriwal's Rajghat satyagraha as 'political drama'
Synopsis
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has dismissed Arvind Kejriwal's Rajghat satyagraha as a 'political drama' — alleging it is a diversionary tactic to shield AAP from corruption charges rather than a genuine public welfare protest. The sharp response underscores how the liquor scam narrative continues to define Delhi's political battlefield.
Key Takeaways
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on 28 April called Arvind Kejriwal's satyagraha at Rajghat a circus-like "political drama." Sachdeva alleged the protest is aimed at diverting attention from the alleged excise policy scam involving Kejriwal.
He claimed AAP leaders making remarks against courts and writing letters to judges reflects disrespect toward democratic institutions.
The BJP chief argued the satyagraha serves personal and political interests, not public welfare.
Sachdeva expressed confidence that the people of Delhi will not be influenced by such protest movements.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday, 28 April described the satyagraha staged by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Rajghat as a circus-like "political drama" aimed at diverting public attention from corruption allegations against the party.
Sachdeva's Core Allegations
Sachdeva alleged that whenever serious charges surface against Kejriwal or AAP members, the party resorts to theatrical protests rather than addressing the accusations through legal or democratic channels. "Once again the same is being repeated," he said, referring to what he characterised as a pattern of diversionary politics.
The Delhi BJP President specifically invoked the alleged excise policy scam, claiming that the truth surrounding Kejriwal's involvement has already come to light. He argued that "no amount of drama can hide his actions" now that the case is in the public domain and before the courts.
Remarks on Judiciary and Institutions
Sachdeva took particular exception to what he described as AAP leaders making remarks against courts and writing letters to judges. He said that regardless of such actions, the party's leaders would ultimately have to seek relief within the framework of the law. He further stated that questioning the functioning of the judiciary and investigative agencies and politicising them "is not a healthy sign for democracy."
The BJP leader added that Kejriwal's approach reflects, in his view, a lack of respect toward democratic institutions — a charge AAP has not yet formally responded to in the context of Tuesday's protest.
Political Motivation Behind the Protest
Sachdeva alleged that the satyagraha was not driven by public welfare concerns but was instead designed to safeguard personal and political interests. He claimed that AAP and its leaders are "continuously surrounded by corruption charges" and are using such demonstrations to generate public sympathy.
He also argued that if AAP had concrete issues and genuine achievements to highlight, it would not need to resort to street protests. "Kejriwal has failed to defend his case in court and is now taking such steps to conceal this failure," Sachdeva claimed.
Delhi Public's Verdict, According to BJP
The Delhi BJP chief expressed confidence that the people of Delhi have come to understand this "brand of politics" and will not be swayed by such movements. He noted that the electorate, having witnessed repeated cycles of protest-amid-allegations, is now better positioned to judge the intent behind such demonstrations.
With AAP facing sustained legal pressure and BJP consolidating its position in Delhi following the February 2025 assembly elections, Tuesday's satyagraha at Rajghat marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing political confrontation — and the BJP's response signals it intends to keep the corruption narrative front and centre.
Point of View
Not a movement. The timing is telling: with AAP's legal battles still unresolved and the party having lost Delhi's assembly elections in February 2025, Kejriwal's street politics carry less institutional weight than before. Yet BJP's aggressive response also signals that AAP still commands enough public attention to warrant a counter-narrative. The deeper question mainstream coverage misses is whether repeated protests-amid-legal-proceedings will harden or soften AAP's core voter base — a dynamic that will matter enormously in the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Virendra Sachdeva say about Kejriwal's satyagraha?
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva called Arvind Kejriwal's satyagraha at Rajghat on 28 April a circus-like 'political drama' aimed at diverting public attention from corruption allegations, particularly the alleged excise policy scam. He claimed the protest was meant to protect personal and political interests rather than serve public welfare.
Why did Arvind Kejriwal hold a satyagraha at Rajghat?
AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal staged the satyagraha at Rajghat on 28 April alongside party members. The specific demands or stated objectives of the protest were not detailed in BJP's response, though Sachdeva characterised it as a reaction to mounting legal and political pressure on the party.
What is the alleged liquor scam linked to Kejriwal?
The alleged excise policy scam refers to accusations that AAP's Delhi government, when it was in power, irregularly framed and implemented a liquor policy that allegedly benefited certain private parties. Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have denied wrongdoing; the matter is currently being adjudicated in courts.
How has BJP framed AAP's protests in the past?
BJP has consistently described AAP's street protests as diversionary tactics deployed whenever legal or political pressure mounts on the party's leadership. Sachdeva on Tuesday said this is a recurring pattern, calling it the 'same theatrics' repeated each time allegations surface against Kejriwal or his colleagues.
What is the current political context in Delhi?
BJP won the Delhi assembly elections in February 2025, ending AAP's decade-long hold on power. Since then, AAP has operated as the principal opposition party in the capital, with Kejriwal leading its political activities from outside government while facing ongoing legal proceedings.
