Delhi CM Atishi Criticizes BJP Leaders' Overnight Visits to Slums; Sachdeva Calls It a Reaction to Panic

New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) With the Delhi Assembly elections approaching, Chief Minister Atishi took aim at the overnight stays of BJP leaders in slum areas, denouncing them as a “performance” for the sake of garnering votes, a claim the Opposition has refuted.

Speaking to the press, Atishi asserted that BJP leaders were distributing clothing and gifts in slums while compiling lists of voters for removal from electoral rolls. In contrast, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva stated that these visits are a means of engaging with young people in slum communities to hear their concerns and find solutions directly.

CM Atishi remarked, “If there is any genuine friend of the slum residents in the city, it is Arvind Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service officer who resigned from his job to serve the public by living in a slum area for six months in Seemapuri.”

Atishi warned, “Do not be deceived by BJP leaders who will visit your slum and subsequently have it demolished,” referring to the Sunder Nursery area near Nizamuddin that was destroyed in the winter of 2023 shortly after BJP leaders visited.

The Chief Minister encouraged slum residents to accept the gifts from other party leaders but advised them to continue supporting the AAP in elections.

Reminding the slum dwellers of the AAP government's welfare programs, such as free electricity, free water, free Mohalla Clinics, free education, and complimentary bus travel for women, Atishi stated, “AAP representatives see slum residents as family, whereas BJP is against the poor.”

She highlighted the situation in Rajinder Nagar slums, which were recently placed under virtual lockdown and obscured by curtains during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Pusa area. “They regard slum dwellers as outcasts and prefer not to have them nearby,” she added.

An AAP MLA from Rajinder Nagar claimed that slum residents who are daily wage workers, domestic helpers, and e-rickshaw drivers are experiencing difficulties due to the large curtains obstructing their homes, restricting their movement similarly to what occurred during the G20 Summit last year.

Meanwhile, the BJP asserted that the AAP is panicking in light of the dire condition of civic amenities in slum areas.

BJP President Virendra Sachdeva declared, “We comprehend the challenges faced by slum residents. We are dedicated to addressing these issues and ensuring that the forthcoming BJP government in Delhi will enhance their lives through DUSIB.”

BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam affirmed, “The BJP government, which will assume power in Delhi in February 2025, will prioritize serving the most disadvantaged in slums with the principle of Antyodaya.”

BJP’s Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta stated, “We are not merely seeking votes from slum residents but are committed to building relationships aimed at transforming their lives and educating their children.”

The AAP’s criticism of the BJP’s overnight slum visits coincides with the Opposition party’s leaders visiting 1,194 slum clusters in recent days. Residents of approximately 750 city slums constitute a significant portion of voters, making up 30 percent of the city’s population.

The Delhi Assembly elections to form a 70-member legislative assembly are anticipated to be announced soon, with voting likely occurring in February.