Our work in Delhi a blessing, real aapda is BJP, says Kejriwal

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a disaster ("aapda") in a wordplay on its name, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal retaliated by accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being the real "aapda" in Delhi due to the deteriorating law-and-order situation and its internal struggles.

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI:

On Friday, the Prime Minister launched a slew of projects in Delhi and called for people to reject the AAP in the upcoming assembly polls.

Dismissing Modi's criticism, Kejriwal lauded his government's achievements in education, health, and power, declaring them a "blessing" rather than a "disaster" for Delhi. He also mocked BJP's lack of a CM candidate, narrative, or agenda.

"Several times, the Prime Minister said that an 'aapda' has gripped Delhi. But the real 'aapda' is within the BJP. The BJP is facing three aapdas - the BJP does not have a chief ministerial face in Delhi, the BJP has no narrative, the BJP has no agenda for this election," the AAP chief said.

"There indeed is an aapda in Delhi - law and order. In Delhi, gangsters openly fire bullets... Women are screaming in fear, traders are pleading for protection from gangsters... But their voices don't reach (Union home minister) Amit Shah. The PM should tell Amit Shah to devote a little time to fixing Delhi's law and order situation," he said.