Kejriwal Replaces Mehrauli Candidate Convicted for Sacrilege; BJP Critiques Flip-Flop Decision
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New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) In an unexpected decision, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday made a significant change to its candidate for the Mehrauli constituency in south Delhi ahead of the Assembly elections, drawing ire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP criticized AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for initially selecting a candidate with a sacrilege conviction.
Naresh Yadav, the sitting MLA who was convicted in the Punjab Quran sacrilege case, had earlier been announced as the official candidate for Mehrauli in AAP's last candidate list. However, on Friday, party leader and former Chief Minister Kejriwal withdrew Yadav's nomination and instead designated Mahender Chaudhary as AAP's official candidate for the seat.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva remarked that despite Yadav's conviction, Kejriwal initially chose not to alter his party’s candidate for Mehrauli, but has now reversed this decision, allegedly due to the new candidate's significant financial resources.
Yadav was sentenced on November 30, 2024, due to the sacrilege case involving the Quran. Nevertheless, Kejriwal had given him a ticket to run from Mehrauli for a third time just last week, according to Sachdeva.
Sachdeva further pointed out that the abrupt withdrawal of Yadav's candidacy comes as no surprise to Delhi residents, as changing candidates after announcing a ticket has become a routine practice for Kejriwal in every election cycle.
The BJP leader expressed that there are rumors in the media suggesting that Kejriwal might drop 13 of his MLAs who have received tickets for the fourth time, including a senior spokesperson and minister.
He alleged that Kejriwal is merely waiting for a lucrative offer from potential replacements who possess substantial financial backing.
The BJP also criticized Kejriwal for disparaging migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, stating that while he attempts to present himself as a champion for Poorvanchalis, the people have not forgotten his past remarks.
On September 30, 2019, Kejriwal made a controversial statement claiming, “Biharis come to Delhi with a 500-rupee ticket, receive Rs 5 lakh worth of free medical treatment, and leave.”
According to the Delhi BJP chief, residents from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana remember that Kejriwal has repeatedly asserted that Delhi's hospitals and schools near the borders of other states are under extreme pressure from outsiders.
