Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a “terror” atmosphere in the Kalkaji constituency, accusing BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and his associates of “hooliganism” and using “profanity” against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers.
Atishi launched a sharp attack on Bidhuri and demanded action from the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that BJP workers were engaged in disruptive behavior rather than focusing on their campaign. “Ramesh Bidhuri and his workers are not contesting elections, they are indulging in hooliganism. We demand that the Election Commission take action against this behavior,” Atishi said during a press conference.
She further alleged that individuals claiming to be relatives of Bidhuri, specifically his “nephews,” had been threatening AAP workers, physically confronting them, and destroying campaign materials. “Ever since Ramesh Bidhuri has been contesting elections from Kalkaji, BJP has created an atmosphere of fear. In every area, BJP workers, along with some who claim to be the ‘bhatijas (nephews)’ of Ramesh Bidhuri, are threatening AAP workers, grabbing their collars, and burning our pamphlets,” she added.
Atishi’s allegations were backed by AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, who accused the BJP of resorting to violence across multiple constituencies. “What Atishi has said is not just limited to one constituency. BJP is using hooliganism. A party only resorts to such tactics when it knows it cannot win through peaceful means. The BJP is heading for a historic defeat in Delhi, and it will go down in history for its loss,” Kejriwal stated.
Kejriwal also took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi Police, claiming they were helping BJP workers engage in hooliganism. “Amit Shah has taken control, and now the entire Delhi Police is campaigning for BJP. They are aiding BJP goons in their disruptive activities. Money, goods, and sarees are being distributed, and the police are complicit in this,” Kejriwal alleged.
Atishi continued to share specific incidents of alleged hooliganism by BJP workers. She recounted an incident on January 15 in Giri Nagar, where AAP ward president Arun Chauhan and a team of women workers were campaigning door-to-door. BJP’s Rajeev Bhati, who claimed to be a nephew of Bidhuri, allegedly abused the AAP workers and snatched away their pamphlets. “On January 19, a young man named Ankit Gupta, who was campaigning for AAP, was slapped by BJP workers,” Atishi added.
Atishi also revealed that AAP worker Deepa Singh received a threatening call from Ramesh Bidhuri on the night of January 19, where he allegedly told her to rejoin BJP or face arrest after the election results. “On the same day, one of our workers’ relatives, Ankit Gupta, was slapped by BJP workers,” she stated.
The Chief Minister accused another of Bidhuri’s relatives of issuing threats to AAP workers. “On January 20, when one of our female workers objected to BJP’s team using children to put up posters, they verbally abused her. On January 21, Ramesh Bidhuri’s nephew Manish threatened to break the hands and legs of our workers if they didn’t stay home,” Atishi said.
With the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, tensions between AAP and BJP continue to rise, with both parties accusing each other of using unfair tactics. The election results will be counted on February 8, and a three-way contest is expected between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress.
The AAP, which secured a landslide victory in the 2020 elections with 62 out of 70 seats, will face the BJP, which won only 8 seats in the same election. Congress, once in power for 15 years, has struggled in recent elections and failed to secure any seats in the last two assembly polls.