The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused Education Minister Ashish Sood of “mocking” its leaders who live in ‘kachchi’ (unauthorised) colonies, a claim the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed as a “false narrative”.
“We take great pride in the fact that even after being an MLA from Burari four times, Sanjeev Jha still lives on rent in the kachchi colony. Similarly, our colleague Kuldeep Kumar lives in a kachchi colony in Kalyanpuri. They had worked a lot for these colonies. But just a day ago, BJP’s Ashish Sood mocked these people and their poverty,” said AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj.
Mr. Bharadwaj said the BJP cannot accept the political rise of leaders from ordinary households under AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. He warned that “Delhi’s voters would respond to such contempt” for the poor.
“I feel deeply ashamed that such a person has been made a Minister, who is filled with hatred towards people’s background,” he added.
Responding to the allegations, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said AAP is frustrated as Delhi has rejected them, giving the BJP victory in seven out of 12 seats in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi by-elections.
“It is unfortunate that even after this, AAP leaders have not learned any lesson and continue to concoct false narratives every day. Today, Saurabh Bharadwaj has levelled fabricated allegations against Delhi Minister Ashish Sood that are far removed from the facts. It would be better if AAP leaders stop creating such false narratives; otherwise, the people of Delhi, who have already snatched power from them, will completely reject them in the upcoming elections as well,” said Mr. Sachdeva.
Mr. Sachdeva said the ‘kachchi’ colonies have a strong BJP voter base. “It is for this reason that AAP leaders are frustrated,” he said.
