New Delhi:
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the present day visited an space in northwest Delhi to focus on the filth-covered underbelly of the nationwide capital whereas additionally exposing fissures within the opposition alliance INDIA, which was shaped as a united entrance to struggle towards the BJP.
“See, that is Delhi, that is shining Delhi,” the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha was heard saying in a video as he walked previous an overflowing drain in Rithala.
He seemed on the sewage water and the garbage-covered grime observe he was strolling on and remarked, ” Paris jaisi Dilli. Sab jagah yahi haal hai (Delhi which is like Paris. This is the scenario in every single place).”
And, Rahul Gandhi’s caption for the video on X – “This is (Arvind) Kejriwal’s ‘shining’ Delhi – Paris wali Delhi (Paris-like Delhi)”.
ये है केजरीवाल जी की ‘चमकती’ दिल्ली – पेरिस वाली दिल्ली!#SaafKaroDilli pic.twitter.com/ycSxZa4hUt
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 14, 2025
“Arvind Kejriwal had promised to make Delhi shine like Paris. But, all his claims turned out to be hole. Today, the folks of Delhi are pressured to reside in clogged sewers, overflowing drains and immense filth,” the Congress posted on X.
Mr Gandhi’s comment was a swipe at Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal who, in 2019, had pledged to remodel Delhi right into a metropolis as clear as “Tokyo, London and Paris” if he was re-elected. He was re-elected, clearing his method for a second stint because the Delhi Chief Minister.
Rahul Gandhi’s dig was in continuation to his final night’s tirade towards Mr Kejriwal when he attacked him over “rising air pollution and inflation” at his first public rally for the Delhi meeting election.
“Arvind Kejriwal had mentioned he would clear Delhi, remove corruption, and make it Paris-like. But in the present day, Delhi struggles with air pollution, corruption, and rising inflation,” he mentioned.
The former chief minister of Delhi responded quickly after, accusing Mr Gandhi of abusing him. This morning, Mr Kejriwal accused the BJP and Congress of working in tandem and mentioned the elections will expose this “jugalbandi”.
Civic points, equivalent to air pollution, dilapidated roads and choked sewers, are being raised by the opposition to nook the ruling administration within the elections that may see the AAP, BJP and Congress in a three-pronged race to type the subsequent authorities in Delhi.
The relations between the AAP and Congress, who fought the 2024 Lok Sabha elections beneath the opposition INDIA bloc, soured after they didn’t enter right into a pre-poll alliance for the Haryana Assembly polls final yr. The BJP gained that election.
In the 2020 meeting elections, the AAP gained 62 of the 70 seats and BJP secured eight seats whereas Congress didn’t open its account.
Even because the election outcomes will resolve the way forward for AAP on the nationwide stage, particularly within the INDIA bloc, the BJP is using excessive on the Haryana and Maharashtra ballot outcomes, elevating expectations of its supporters.
As far because the Congress is anxious, its marketing campaign focuses on the achievements of its previous authorities within the nationwide capital led by Sheila Dikshit whose 15-year rule was ended by Arvind Kejriwal in 2013. He defeated the three-time chief minister in her constituency of New Delhi.
While escalating its assault on the ruling AAP authorities, the Congress in the present day additionally tried to present a throwback of the event drive undertaken through the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress authorities
“Congress occasion’s promise is – we’ll return clear and beloved Delhi to the folks of Delhi. We did it, we’ll do it once more,” the occasion wrote in Hindi on X.
Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will likely be held on February 5 and votes counted on February 8.