BJP central leadership steps in to destroy Arvind Kejriwal govt's clean image ahead of MCD polls

New Delhi: With continued levelling of allegations and sharpening attacks against the Aam Aadmi Party on the issue of corruption in excise policy, the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to destroy the carefully cultivated clean image of AAP ahead of municipal polls in the national capital. 

The BJP is targeting AAP over excise policy and liberalisation of liquor sales, an emotional issue, as the saffron unit feels that it can lead to an overwhelming support amongst the women voters in the national capital. 

"Alcoholism, domestic violence and crime related to alcohol is considered as a major reason for women to support a more restrictive excise policy. And by establishing that Kejriwal government is trying to liberalise the excise regime, the saffron party is trying to win over the women voters to its camp," a senior BJP leader said. 

BJP had raised this issue in Rajinder Nagar bypolls, but it failed to make any dent on AAP’s image. However, the BJP leader quoted above was confident that the issue clubbed with corruption will work in the favour of saffron party.

“AAP succeeded riding on anti-corruption plank but it was drenched in corruption from the beginning in the name of party funds. From selling tickets in elections to excessive use of government resources for the publicity of party are some facts well known to the public. Their so-called anti-corruption plank has also been exposed now with liquor scam. It is the public who have been cheated by AAP and we will take this message to the core AAP voters,” the BJP leader said.

The party feels that if it is able to establish a perception that the AAP government was indulging in corrupt practices, it would be able to win the fight ahead of the much awaited MCD polls. The control of the recently reunified MCD in Delhi is considered crucial as the BJP wants to retain power in one of the richest and most powerful civic bodies in the country.    

In fact, the MCD polls, which are likely to be held anytime in the next few months are expected to play a crucial role in judging the mood of national capital’s voters, which would be crucial ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as all 7 seats from Delhi have elected BJP nominees in 2014 and 2019. 

Central BJP leads charge against AAP government

Central BJP leadership has apparently moved in directly to devise strategy and take on the Arvind Kejriwal government as it hopes to retain power in the city's important and powerful civic body. 

This means that the party’s top leadership is not happy with the way its Delhi unit leadership has been functioning. It was felt by the high command that leaders in its Delhi unit were vying for personal growth and placing themselves as probable candidates to take on Kejriwal in future, without putting in the requisite work required for the growth of party. 

This has been evident after the party’s non-performance in the past two Assembly polls in the national capital where it was only able to secure 8 seats in 2020 and only 3 seats in 2015.

In fact, it was felt that the Delhi BJP was unable to play the role of an effective opposition in the national capital and has been found wanting as it has proved ineffectual in taking on the Kejriwal government over the past several years. This has forced the Central BJP to deploy senior leaders like Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Central party spokespersons Sambit Patra and Gaurav Bhatia to attack the AAP government, instead of the state unit leaders taking on the responsibility.

It is learnt that the strategy to take on the AAP, after it came to power in Punjab Assembly, is now being finalised and devised by BJP central leadership. It also shows the saffron unit’s commitment to stop the Kejriwal-led party ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls where it is trying to emerge as the credible opposition in place of the Congress.