Kejriwal accuses BJP of planning slum demolitions, responds to Amit Shah’s criticism
New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that the BJP plans to demolish slums in the city if it wins the February 5 Assembly elections, media reports said.
Kejriwal’s comments came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised him for allegedly installing expensive toilets at his official residence, referring to it as a "sheeshmahal" and claiming their cost exceeded that of Delhi’s entire slums.
Addressing the media during a visit to slums in Delhi's Shakur Basti area, Kejriwal accused the BJP of neglecting slum residents throughout its tenure and engaging with them only during elections.
"The BJP does not care about slum dwellers. It is a party for the rich. They consider slum dwellers as insignificant, seeking their votes during elections but targeting their land afterward," Kejriwal was quoted as saying by India Today.
He further alleged that Shah used offensive language during a meeting with slum residents.
"Yesterday, Amit Shah called slum dwellers from various parts of Delhi and said very derogatory things about me. His choice of words was beyond limits. Any civilised person would feel ashamed to hear them. I hold no grudge against Amit Shah ji. Let him say whatever he wants. I am in politics not for personal honour but for the dignity of the people and the nation," Kejriwal was quoted as saying by India Today.
Accompanied by senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the party’s candidate from Shakur Basti constituency, Kejriwal sought to bolster his support among slum dwellers.
Jain, who has represented the seat since 2013, is contesting for re-election for the fourth consecutive time.
On Saturday, Shah countered by highlighting the BJP’s achievements, including the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and providing permanent housing for over 3.58 crore underprivileged families nationwide.
He added, "Every person living in a slum will be given a permanent house under PM Modi’s guarantee. Meanwhile, the toilet in Kejriwal’s 'sheeshmahal' is more expensive than the slums."
The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on February 5 will determine the fate of the 70-member legislature, with votes counted on February 8.
According to government data, over three million people reside in Delhi’s 750 slums, with half registered as voters, playing a critical role in deciding outcomes in at least 20 constituencies.
In previous elections, slum dwellers have overwhelmingly supported Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
In 2020, approximately 61 percent of slum voters backed AAP, helping it secure 62 seats.
This followed an even higher support of 66 percent in 2015, which led to a record-breaking 67-seat victory.
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