BJP raps AAP for begging poll tieup with Congress

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi saying it was begging the Congress to stitch an alliance because it has accepted defeat in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said: "Even before the election battle began, they (AAP) have accepted defeat and their leaders are raising non-relevant issues to find reasons for their defeat."

Hitting out at the AAP leaders, Goel said: "They (AAP) have raised the issue of Ramzan particularly to divert the attention as they know after the enactment of the triple talaq law, people belonging to the Muslim community will vote for Modiji.

"AAP leaders are begging in front of Congress leaders for a 'gathbandhan' (alliance). This exposes their bogus stand today."

Highlighting the works of the Narendra Modi government, Goel said: "The Modi government has always inculcated views of the public and has given immediate attention to public welfare issues."

Referring to the party's outreach programme "Bharat ke mann ki baat, Modiji ke saath" in the national capital, Goel said: "In the past five years, we have amended the goods and services tax (GST) rates several times as per the public demand. This programme is also an unique way to connect with the people."

Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said while visiting his northeast Delhi parliamentary constituency, he witnessed huge enthusiasm among the people to share their suggestions and views with the Prime Minister.

Tiwari said suggestions were deposited in a box for assessment, which was an unique effort to connect with the public initiated by BJP President Amit Shah on February 3.

Tiwari further said all suggestions will be taken into consideration for the party's Sankalp Patra (manifesto).

Slamming the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government, Tiwari said the people of Delhi were deprived of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which has benefited 14 lakh people all over the country. "But due to the petty politics of Kejriwal, the Delhi government has not implemented the scheme yet," he alleged.

Tiwari also said it was difficult to understand why the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections in the general category was not being implemented by the Delhi government. "Kejriwal is stalling such welfare schemes because he is frightened by the rising popularity of Modiji," Tiwari said.

Earlier in the day, some leaders from the Congress and the AAP joined the BJP in the national capital. Among those who joined the BJP included former Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) President and AAP leader Jitender Chaudhary, AAP leaders Hemant Jha and Pushpa Sharma and Congress youth wing leader Ayush Chaudhary.