Capital campaign fever kicks into top gear

In a fiery entry into Delhi's election campaign, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath unleashed a barrage of accusations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), branding it an "ATM of lies" that has turned the city into a "garbage dump".

- Paras Singh

NEW DELHI:

Adityanath, a star campaigner for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took aim at the AAP's governance, alleging negligence of basic amenities, rampant pollution, and even threats to national security through the settlement of "illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas" in key parts of the city.

Addressing three jam-packed rallies in Kirari, Karol Bagh, and Janakpuri on Thursday, Adityanath positioned Delhi as a once-proud Capital now crumbling under AAP's rule, while contrasting it with his vision of development in Uttar Pradesh.

Hitting back at the BJP leader, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal attacked the condition of schools and utilities such as power in the neighbouring state.

Adityanath's speeches were punctuated with allegations that the AAP had allowed "illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas" to settle in Delhi as part of what he alleged was a "planned conspiracy."

He accused AAP leaders of issuing Aadhaar cards to infiltrators. "In 2020, we saw riots in Delhi. The involvement of AAP councilors and MLAs in that conspiracy came to light. They are playing with national security," he said.

Dare on Yamuna dip Adityanath began his campaign in Kirari, where he wasted no time in attacking the AAP, focusing on the polluted Yamuna as a symbol of AAP's failure. Drawing a comparison to the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where he had taken a along with his entire state cabinet on Wednesday, Adityanath dared Kejriwal to do the same in the Yamuna. "Our entire cabinet took a dip in the Sangam," he said. "I challenge Kejriwal to bathe in the Yamuna with his ministers. He has turned Mother Yamuna into a dirty drain."