Outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Friday claimed that internal conflicts are brewing among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs over portfolio allocations, while accusing the party of using excuses to avoid fulfilling its election promises.Addressing a press conference, Atishi alleged that BJP leaders were involved in a “tussle” over ministerial positions, with some aiming to “exploit” public funds for personal gains. She further accused the BJP of having no intention of fulfilling the commitments it made in its election manifesto.“We have learned from our sources that the BJP is planning to blame the AAP for its failure to fulfil promises. They will claim that the Delhi government has no money due to the previous AAP administration,” Atishi said, pointing out the party’s apparent strategy to deflect responsibility for its unfulfilled promises.Atishi also highlighted the financial growth achieved under the AAP government, emphasizing that Delhi’s budget had grown from Rs 31,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 77,000 crore in 2024-25 during their tenure. “In the last 10 years, Delhi’s budget has grown 2.5 folds. The Arvind Kejriwal-led government even repaid the debt inherited from the previous Congress administration,” she added.
The senior AAP leader further demanded that the BJP immediately implement all its promises, particularly the pledge to provide Rs 2,500 per month to women. “BJP promised that when their government is formed, they will approve providing Rs 2,500 to every woman in Delhi in the first cabinet meeting, and by March 8, the first instalment of Rs 2,500 will be transferred to all women of Delhi,” Atishi said.
Atishi’s remarks come in the wake of the BJP’s historic victory in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, where the party secured 48 seats, while AAP saw a significant decline, winning only 22 seats compared to its 2020 tally of 62 seats. The BJP is yet to announce its chief ministerial candidate and cabinet.The AAP leader also reflected on the AAP government’s economic performance during its 10 years in power in Delhi.
“During 2014-15, Delhi’s entire budget was Rs 31,000 crore. After the AAP government came to power, the Delhi budget increased to Rs 46,000 crore. In ten years, Delhi’s economic growth increased by 2.5 times. In 2014, Delhi’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 6.6%, and it is now 3 per cent. In Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is in power, the debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.5 per cent, and in Madhya Pradesh, it is 33 per cent. CAG’s 2022 report stated that Delhi is one of the surplus states in the country,” she said.