BJP seeks apology from Kejriwal over ‘outsiders’ remark

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, February 27

Delhi BJP leaders accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of displaying bias against residents of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana. They alleged that Kejriwal repeatedly blames them for overburdening Delhi’s health services.

In a joint statement, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and MP Manoj Tiwari demanded an apology and retraction from Kejriwal for his recent remarks made in the Delhi Assembly.

They alleged that Kejriwal did not acknowledge the significant contributions made by individuals from Purvanchal, Haryana and Rajasthan to Delhi’s business and development, but intentionally demeaned them by referring to them as “outsiders”.

Condemning Kejriwal’s remarks in the Delhi Assembly, the Delhi BJP president demanded an apology and called for the withdrawal of his remarks. He also emphasised the need for respectful discourse and inclusivity within the national capital.

The BJP leaders also highlighted instances dating back to 2015, when Kejriwal had publicly labelled individuals from neighbouring states as a strain on Delhi’s health and education infrastructure. They cited Kejriwal’s recent statement about individuals from UP and Haryana ‘exacerbating’ the pressure on Delhi hospitals as a prime example of this bias.