New Delhi, January 22: As the Delhi assembly elections approach, Chief Minister Atishi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a climate of “terror” in the Kalkaji constituency, alleging that BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and his associates have been involved in acts of “hooliganism” and using “profanity” against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers.
At a press conference, Atishi launched a sharp attack on Bidhuri, demanding that the Election Commission of India (ECI) take action. “Ramesh Bidhuri and his supporters are not contesting elections; they are engaging in hooliganism. We demand that the Election Commission intervene,” she said.
Atishi claimed that individuals purporting to be Bidhuri’s relatives had been threatening AAP workers, physically intimidating them, and burning campaign materials. “Since Rakesh Bidhuri began contesting the Kalkaji seat, BJP has fostered a climate of fear. Their workers and some individuals who claim to be ‘nephews’ of Ramesh Bidhuri are threatening our workers, ripping up and burning our campaign materials,” she said.
AAP’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, who joined Atishi at the press conference, criticized the BJP for resorting to violence, stating that such tactics occur only when a party sees “no chance of winning fairly.” “BJP is heading for a historic defeat in Delhi,” Kejriwal asserted. “This will be remembered as a defeat of unprecedented magnitude in history.”
Kejriwal also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi Police, accusing them of aiding BJP “goons.” “The Delhi Police, under Amit Shah’s direction, is campaigning for the BJP and assisting their goons in committing acts of violence. They are distributing money, goods, and sarees, and the police are turning a blind eye,” he alleged.
Atishi further detailed incidents of alleged intimidation by BJP workers. On January 15, AAP ward president Arun Chauhan from Giri Nagar was reportedly harassed by BJP’s Rajeev Bhati, who claimed to be a relative of Bidhuri. “Rajeev Bhati abused our workers and seized their pamphlets,” Atishi said. She also recounted how Ankit Gupta, a young AAP volunteer, was slapped by BJP supporters on January 19.
Atishi also alleged that on January 19, Ramesh Bidhuri had called AAP’s Deepa Singh from Govindpuri, demanding she return to the BJP or face arrest after the elections. “On the same day, Ankit Gupta, one of our workers, was slapped by BJP supporters,” she added.
Additionally, Atishi accused another relative of Bidhuri of threatening AAP workers. “On January 20, when one of our women workers objected to BJP supporters involving children in putting up posters, they used profanity against her. On January 21, Manish, another nephew of Ramesh Bidhuri, threatened to break our workers’ hands and legs if they didn’t stay at home,” Atishi claimed.
With the Delhi assembly elections set for February 5 and vote counting scheduled for February 8, the political atmosphere in the capital is becoming increasingly heated. The contest is expected to be a three-way race between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. In the 2020 assembly elections, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats, with BJP winning only 8. Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years, has struggled in recent elections, failing to secure any seats in 2020.