Came in small car, lived in ‘sheesh mahal’: Rahul takes jibe at AAP convener

With just eight days left for polling in Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today targeted AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, mocking former Delhi CM's alleged lavish lifestyle. He also attacked the BJP during his rallies.

Rahul's remarks underscored the growing divide between the Congress and AAP, both of which are part of the INDIA bloc.

Earlier this week, Rahul had cancelled three rallies in Delhi, citing health reasons.

On Tuesday, he addressed two public events and also visited a Valmiki temple. He was joined by Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit during the visit.

At a rally in Patparganj, where he campaigned for Congress candidate Anil Kumar, Rahul took a direct aim at both Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who were earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on corruption charges.

Rahul criticised Kejriwal’s early promises and leadership. “Kejriwal came in a small car, promising to bring new politics. He climbed an electric pole and promised to transform Delhi,” Rahul said.

“But when the poor people of Delhi needed him, he was nowhere to be found. When there was violence in Delhi (referring to the 2020 riots), he was nowhere to be seen. He talked about 'clean politics,' but the biggest liquor scam took place in Delhi," the Congress leader said.

Referring to the BJP's "sheesh mahal" attacks, he also mocked Kejriwal’s lifestyle. “I was thrown out of my house by Modi ji... and I handed them the keys. But Kejriwal ji stayed in a ‘sheesh mahal,’” said Rahul, referring to his decision to vacate his official bungalow after being suspended from Parliament.

Slamming the BJP, the Congress MP accused the ruling party and the RSS of stoking division across religions and castes. “The BJP makes brothers fight with each other, makes religions clash... They want an India of rich people when the Constitution says India is for all,” he said.

He also highlighted the unemployment issue and influence of billionaires in the country, claiming that despite the promises made by the government, ordinary citizens struggled to get employment.

Criticising the media, Rahul said, “The real issues, like what is happening for employment and infrastructure, are never discussed.”

He also reiterated his call for a caste census, a key issue for the Congress. “I asked Modi ji to order a caste census. We have told them that whenever our government comes, we will conduct a caste census and break the wall that stops reservation beyond 50 per cent.”

During a rally at Okhla, where he campaigned for Congress candidate Ariba Khan, Rahul condemned the BJP’s "divisive" tactics. “In the market of hatred, we want to open shops of love. No matter how much hatred is spread by the BJP, we will open more shops of love,” he said.