AAP leader and Delhi’s Leader of Opposition Atishi launched a fierce attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the BJP on Wednesday, following a demolition drive carried out at the Bhoomiheen Camp in South Delhi’s Kalkaji area. She accused the BJP of being a “Gareeb Virodhi (anti-poor) party” and blamed them for orchestrating the drive despite previous assurances.
“Just three days ago, CM Rekha Gupta claimed no slums would be demolished. Yet today, bulldozers arrived at 5 AM, people were dragged from their homes and beaten,” Atishi told reporters. “Rekha Gupta blames the courts—but who went to court? It was the BJP-led DDA that petitioned for the demolitions. These people fought in court for their homes, and the BJP opposed them,” she added.
The demolition follows a Delhi High Court directive, and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had issued eviction notices, asking residents to vacate by June 10. The notice warned that remaining huts would be razed and personal belongings discarded without liability.
On Tuesday, Atishi protested the demolition and was subsequently detained by Delhi Police. She accused the BJP of persecuting slum residents and said, “BJP aur Rekha Gupta ko jhuggi waalon ki haay lagegi (BJP and Rekha Gupta will face the wrath of the slum dwellers). BJP will never return to power.”
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the BJP-led administration, stating in a post on X: “They ruined Delhi in just three months.”
The DDA, in its statement, urged residents to cooperate peacefully, stating the demolitions were for removing illegal encroachments as per court orders. But AAP leaders have alleged the drive is politically motivated and inhumane, especially against vulnerable urban poor.
