Lambasting the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Delhi assembly polls as yet another “Jumla Patra,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tore into Union Home Minister Amit Shah, pointing out that the BJP had conceded defeat in the upcoming Delhi polls.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to his ‘X’ handle (erstwhile Twitter): “Today, Amit Shah came to Delhi and left after hurling abuses at me. Will abusing me lead to Delhi’s development? They neither have a plan for Delhi nor any vision. If nothing else, they could have at least repeated the facilities we are already providing. BJP has surrendered in Delhi. Their election is over.
On the promise of giving ownership rights to residents of unauthorised colonies, the AAP Chief reminded, stating: “Isn’t this the same promise the Prime Minister made in 2015 and 2020? Repeating the same old promise again? How can you blatantly lie like this without hesitation? False promises in every election?”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia stated, “Today, the BJP released yet another ‘jumla patra’, which they refer to as a ‘Sankalp Patra’. In this jumla patra, the manner in which Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted the press conference, the language he used, and the issues he mentioned—all of which he called promises—make it evident that the BJP has internally accepted that they are losing the Delhi elections and will not form a government. Otherwise, Amit Shah would have presented a vision for the people of Delhi. Amit Shah remained silent on the achievements in other states that the BJP plans to replicate in Delhi..”
The Senior AAP leader pointed out, “Instead, Amit Shah said that if their government is formed, they will create 50,000 jobs. Amit Shah, why are you mocking the people of Delhi? Delhi has a population of 2.5 crore people, and you are saying you will create 50,000 jobs. What about the rest, what will they do? This means you have no plan, no vision.”
Manish Sisodia asserted, “In your (Amit Shah) press conference, you hurl abuses at Arvind Kejriwal, but let me remind you, he has a proper plan to provide employment to the Delhi’s youth. During and after COVID, to help Delhi recover, Arvind Kejriwal created over 12 lakh jobs. Delhi requires lakhs and crores of jobs and you only talk about 50,000 jobs. You are accepting your defeat in Delhi, and still lying about jobs but at least show some sincerity towards this.”
He asserted, “Then Amit Shah promised to remove sealing on shops. Who has been sealing shops for the past 20 years? Who has been snatching the livelihoods of poor shopkeepers? For the last 20 years, and especially in the past 5–7 years, BJP leaders have been at the forefront of sealing shops. When AAP leaders opposed this sealing, no one listened to them. Recently, after the AAP came to power in Delhi, when AAP leaders went to remove the sealing, BJP leaders stood in opposition, ensuring the sealing was not lifted.”
Manish Sisodia stated, “In Jangpura, the constituency I am contesting from, BJP was responsible for sealing shops in Lajpat Nagar. Due to AAP’s leaders and their protests, the sealing was finally removed. BJP was sealing shops in Lajpat Nagar, and now in their manifesto, they are promising to remove the sealing. Why did they seal shops 20 years ago in the first place? Why did their leaders orchestrate sealing for extortion?”
The senior AAP leader emphasized, stating, “Today, Delhi’s traders demand security. They want protection. And what are you offering them? Threats from gangsters. Gangsters openly fire in front of their shops. The law and order situation in Delhi has been under your control for 10 years. Give traders security. They live in constant fear. When gangsters get to know a shopkeeper’s business is thriving, they threaten him. Instead of jumlas, provide safety to Delhi’s traders.”
Manish Sisodia said, “Amit Shah claimed that they will provide insurance for lawyers. It seems either Amit Shah has forgotten or his team hasn’t briefed him, Arvind Kejriwal has already provided insurance to Delhi’s lawyers. Delhi’s lawyers are happy with the Arvind Kejriwal government and are benefiting from it. When they already have the original Arvind Kejriwal model, why would they accept your duplicate ideas?”
He further added, “Amit Shah said in the BJP’s manifesto that you will bring E-buses to Delhi. Perhaps your team didn’t brief you here either. Delhi has already become the E-bus capital, not just in India but globally. Delhi has the largest fleet of E-buses in the world. No other city in the world has as many E-buses as Delhi. What new things are you promising?”
“You know very well that your government is not going to be formed. So, you are merely copying and pasting Arvind Kejriwal’s promises. You keep cursing Arvind Kejriwal in your press conferences, but in the end, you are the promising works he has already done,” asserted the senior AAP leader.
Manish Sisodia affirmed that the BJP has admitted defeat. They have come to Delhi only to fulfill the formality of contesting elections and have brought a “jumla patra.” Promising 50,000 jobs for 2.5 crore people is nothing short of a joke. E-buses are already operational. Lawyers’ insurance is already in place. You were the ones who imposed sealing on shops for 20 years. And now, with the AAP in power and initiating the de-sealing of shops, BJP leaders rush to disrupt. Set aside this drama and accept your defeat—on February 5th, the public will deliver its verdict.