Delhi Leader of Opposition and senior AAP figure Atishi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of launching a politically motivated attack against Aam Aadmi Party leaders after its recent defeat in the Visavadar by-election in Gujarat.
At a press briefing held Friday, Atishi claimed the BJP is misusing federal investigative bodies to settle political scores, calling it a return to “blatant vendetta politics.”
Central Agencies Being Misused, Says AAP
Atishi alleged that the BJP has reactivated old and baseless cases through the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation in the wake of AAP’s growing popularity. She pointed out that despite numerous raids over the years, the BJP has failed to uncover any corruption against AAP.
“The BJP has once again resumed its blatant misuse of central investigative agencies. The cycle of fake cases is back in motion,” she said. Referring to a past Supreme Court observation, she reminded the media that the court had criticised these agencies for lacking independence and being used as tools of political coercion, calling them “caged parrots.”
Visavadar Win Sparks Political Backlash
Atishi believes the revival of cases is directly tied to AAP’s win in the Visavadar bypoll. She alleged that the BJP had pulled out all stops to win the seat, using state power and unethical tactics.
“Why are ED cases being reopened against Aam Aadmi Party leaders now? The real reason lies in the Visavadar by-election in Gujarat,” she said. “The BJP tried everything possible to defeat AAP in that seat, from spending enormous sums of money to distributing alcohol under police protection in a dry state.”
She further claimed AAP workers and their candidate were threatened and pressured, while the full weight of the state machinery was used to tip the scales. “Yet, the Aam Aadmi Party won the by-election by a massive margin,” she asserted.
AAP Gains Ground In Gujarat
Highlighting growing support for AAP in the state, Atishi said the people of Gujarat are disillusioned after three decades of BJP governance. “After Gopal Italia’s victory, AAP’s popularity in Gujarat is surging because people have seen the devastation the BJP has caused over the last 30 years. Surat was submerged in water for days. Businesses came to a standstill. Schools are crumbling. Hospitals are in shambles. Roads are broken. Gujarat now sees hope in AAP,” she said.
‘We Will Not Be Intimidated’
Atishi closed with a direct message to the BJP: “Investigate all our work as much as you want. You will find no trace of corruption, and neither will AAP leaders be scared or silenced. In the upcoming Gujarat elections, it will be AAP that defeats the BJP and forms the government.”
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