Bharadwaj slams Edu Minister over ‘defunt computer lab’ claim

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood’s claim that not a single functional computer lab was left behind by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has come under sharp criticism from AAP leaders, who alleged it was part of a ploy to justify a fresh procurement scam.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Delhi AAP state president Saurabh Bharadwaj dismissed Sood’s statement as a “desperate lie” and said the BJP-led government was deliberately discrediting the previous administration to justify new purchases. “This is either an attempt to defame the AAP government or a prelude to declaring existing computers as junk so that a new tender can be floated for fresh procurement,” he said.

Bharadwaj said a surprise inspection by AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar at the New Kondli Government School revealed students actively studying on functional computers, directly contradicting Sood’s statement made at a recent conclave.

“The BJP’s Education Minister claimed on record that not even a single computer lab was left functional by the AAP government. But videos from today’s visit show students working on those very computers,” he said.

He pointed to past inspections by former Education Minister Manish Sisodia where videos showed working computer labs across schools. “Those videos are still on social media. The truth is, BJP has no intention of doing any work. That is why BJP ministers are busy spreading lies about the previous government. Today, Ashish Sood’s lie has been completely exposed,” he said.

Taking a dig at Sood’s understanding of education, Bharadwaj said, “When asked about computers, his only reference was giving a mobile phone to a two-year-old to distract them. An Education Minister should be capable of giving more informed examples related to computers.”

Bharadwaj also raised questions about administrative interference after MLA Kuldeep Kumar was barred from entering a computer lab at another school later in the day. “The principal said an order from the Deputy Director stated that no MLA was allowed to inspect labs without written permission. This clearly shows that fear has gripped Ashish Sood’s ministry — they are scared that AAP MLAs will record videos of functional computers and expose the truth,” he claimed.