Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched a sharp criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of neglecting basic amenities for the people of Delhi.
The national capital, he said, has been significantly lagging behind in essential services under AAP's leadership for the past decade.
Jaishankar, speaking at an interaction with the South Indian community in Delhi, expressed his embarrassment about the conditions in the city.
He revealed that when he travels abroad, he feels ashamed to admit that the people living in the national capital are deprived of essential services such as housing, clean water, and adequate healthcare.
He described the situation as unfortunate, stressing that Delhi, which should serve as a model of development for the rest of the country, has been “left behind” under the current government.
The Union Minister highlighted that despite the promises made by the AAP government, basic needs like piped water under the Jal Jeevan Mission, affordable gas cylinders, and healthcare benefits under schemes like Ayushman Bharat remain unmet for many residents.
He expressed his frustration with the lack of progress, urging Delhi's residents to consider voting for a change in government during the elections. According to Jaishankar, the people of Delhi deserve their rights to basic amenities, and it was high time that they demanded them from the government.
With Delhi's Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025, a triangular contest between AAP, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress is anticipated.
The BJP has consistently accused the incumbent AAP government of failing to address the city's infrastructure needs, despite being in power for the past ten years. Jaishankar's remarks echo these accusations and further fuel the criticism of the AAP’s governance.
The External Affairs Minister went on to stress that Delhi, as the capital of India, should be at the forefront of development in the country. However, he said, the city has been stuck in a state of stagnation, unable to improve or meet its residents' needs.
He emphasised that the government should have prioritised the provision of these essential services to make life better for the people of Delhi.
The AAP, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has faced mounting pressure and accusations from the BJP, which has criticised the party for its alleged corruption and failure to fulfil election promises.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at an election rally in Delhi, accused AAP of engaging in corrupt practices and sheltering illegal immigrants. He further labelled the party’s governance as a “3G” government, referring to “Ghapla” (corruption), “Ghuspaithiyon ko panah” (sheltering intruders), and “Ghotala” (scams).
In addition, BJP leader Anurag Thakur took aim at Kejriwal for making excuses rather than fulfilling his promises. He reminded the people of Delhi about Kejriwal’s past commitments, including promises to clean the city’s air, clean the Yamuna River, improve drinking water quality, and repair roads.
According to Thakur, the reality has been quite different, with the city’s air quality worsening, the Yamuna remaining heavily polluted, and road conditions deteriorating under AAP’s leadership.
He also pointed out the continued struggle of Delhi residents to access clean drinking water despite the AAP's repeated assurances.
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