Key Points:
- The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections have intensified political maneuvers, with BJP targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and AAP countering with voter-centric schemes and religious appeals.
- Delhi CM Atishi has written to Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, opposing the demolition of temples and Buddhist religious sites, citing their connection to Dalit faith.
- AAP has strategically introduced the Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana and invoked religious sentiments to challenge BJP’s stance.
- A recent exchange of letters between the LG and AAP leaders has added to the heated political climate.
New Delhi: The political stage in Delhi is heating up as assembly elections draw near. The BJP has ramped up its attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), while AAP is making efforts to secure voter loyalty through new schemes and strategic moves, including an emphasis on religious sentiments.
On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote a strongly-worded letter to Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, expressing her opposition to the demolition of temples and Buddhist religious sites in the capital. She emphasized the deep connection between Dalits and Buddhist religious places, warning against actions that could hurt public sentiment.
“At the LG’s direction, orders were issued to demolish temples and Buddhist religious sites. This undermines the faith of Dalits and the broader community. No such demolition should take place in Delhi,” CM Atishi stated in her letter. She also alleged that the religious committee’s demolition file was sent to the LG without consulting the Chief Minister’s office.
AAP’s Religious Strategy: Countering BJP with Faith-Based Politics
Political analysts suggest AAP is aiming to counter the BJP’s narrative by leveraging religious and cultural issues. Just two days ago, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced the Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana, a scheme aimed at providing financial support to religious leaders. Atishi’s letter on Tuesday further underscores the party’s religious outreach ahead of elections.
A senior AAP leader stated, “The BJP has long used religious issues as its strength. By aligning with the sentiments of marginalized communities, we aim to show we can represent faith in a more inclusive manner.”
LG’s Letter Sparks Political Controversy
The exchange of letters between Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena and AAP leaders has added fuel to the political fire. The LG accused former CM Arvind Kejriwal of calling Atishi a “temporary Chief Minister,” describing the comment as an insult to the office of the President and the LG.
Reacting to this, CM Atishi and other AAP leaders strongly criticized the LG’s remarks, accusing him of bias. BJP, however, sided with the LG, with BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal asserting that Saxena’s observations about Kejriwal were justified.
As election campaigning gains momentum, the battle between BJP and AAP is expected to intensify. With AAP leveraging schemes and religious sentiments and BJP focusing on governance critiques, the Delhi Assembly elections promise to be a tightly contested political showdown.
