New Delhi:
As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, scheduled for February 5 with vote counting on February 8, the political landscape is heating up with sharp criticisms and challenges. In a recent public meeting at Hauz Qazi Chowk, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting his unfulfilled promise to clean the Yamuna River.
Gandhi’s challenge was straightforward and provocative: he dared Kejriwal to drink the water from the Yamuna River, suggesting that if he did, Gandhi would meet him in the hospital afterward. This bold move underscored Gandhi’s criticism that Kejriwal had failed to deliver on his promise to clean the Yamuna within five years, a pledge that remains unfulfilled.
During his address, Gandhi emphasized that Kejriwal’s promise to bring a new political system and end corruption had also fallen short. He pointed out that despite Kejriwal’s assurances, the Yamuna River remains polluted, and the people of Delhi are still forced to drink contaminated water. This, Gandhi argued, is a stark example of AAP’s failed promises.
Gandhi also targeted Kejriwal’s core team, which includes prominent figures like Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, and Raghav Chaddha. He criticized the team for lacking representation from Dalit, OBC, or Muslim communities, likening them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s team in terms of ideological alignment. Gandhi suggested that there is no difference between Kejriwal’s and Modi’s ideologies, with Kejriwal being more silent but equally divisive.
The Congress leader framed the upcoming election as a battle between two ideologies: one of unity, represented by the Congress, and one of hatred, represented by the BJP and its affiliate RSS. Gandhi reiterated that the fight is not just about political power but about the fundamental values that will shape Delhi’s future.
In addition to his critique of Kejriwal and AAP, Gandhi also took aim at Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, accusing them of attempting to undermine the Constitution. This broader critique highlighted the deeper ideological divisions at play in the election.
As Delhi prepares to go to the polls, the exchange between Gandhi and Kejriwal has brought the issue of unfulfilled promises and ideological differences to the forefront, setting the stage for a contentious and closely watched election.
