Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, labeling him the “architect of the liquor scam” and reigniting the “sheeshmahal” controversy. These remarks come as Delhi gears up for its Assembly elections on February 5, in which the stakes are high for both parties.
Speaking at a rally in Patparganj — an area represented by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has faced corruption charges — Rahul Gandhi criticized the AAP’s governance, accusing Kejriwal of betraying his promise of clean politics and being absent during Delhi’s crises.
अरविंद केजरीवाल जी शीशमहल में रहते हैं।
लेकिन जब ग़रीबों को उनकी ज़रूरत पड़ी तब वह कहीं नहीं दिखे।
जब दिल्ली में हिंसा हुई और अल्पसंख्यकों को उनकी ज़रूरत थी तब वह उनके साथ खड़े नहीं हुए।
साफ राजनीति करूंगा बोलकर उन्होंने दिल्ली में सबसे बड़ा शराब घोटाला किया! pic.twitter.com/apgElZxMhS
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 28, 2025
Liquor Scam and ‘Sheeshmahal’ Allegations
Gandhi accused Kejriwal of orchestrating Delhi’s alleged liquor policy scam, which has been a flashpoint between the AAP and opposition parties. He linked the controversy to Kejriwal’s promise of ethical governance, stating, “He talked about clean politics, but the biggest liquor scam happened under his leadership.”
Gandhi reignited the BJP’s accusations regarding the Rs 45 crore renovation of the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence. Drawing a contrast, he said, “I vacated my MP bungalow after being disqualified… but Kejriwal lives in a ‘sheeshmahal’.”
The Congress MP also criticized Kejriwal’s leadership during the 2020 Delhi riots, claiming he was “nowhere to be seen” when the city needed him most.
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Recalling Kejriwal’s rise in politics, Gandhi said, “He came with a small car and promised a new kind of politics… but where is that promise today?”
Political Tensions in the INDIA Bloc
The rift between the Congress and AAP has been widening despite both being part of the INDIA opposition bloc. While the two parties initially considered contesting the Delhi elections together, failed seat-sharing talks for Haryana and longstanding mutual distrust led to their decision to contest separately.
The strain has been evident in recent weeks, with the Congress targeting Kejriwal over allegations of “poisoned” Yamuna water and corruption scandals, while the AAP has accused the Congress of undermining the alliance.
The upcoming elections pose a significant challenge for AAP, which has dominated Delhi’s political landscape, winning 67 and 62 seats in the last two elections. This time, however, it faces a more aggressive BJP campaign, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who expressed confidence in breaking AAP’s winning streak.
Delhi Elections 2025: What’s at Stake?
Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats will vote in a single phase on February 5, with results announced on February 8. The election could redefine the political landscape for both AAP and Congress, with implications for their standing within the INDIA bloc ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
ALSO READ: Delhi CM Atishi says Haryana has poisoned Delhi waters, can’t be treated; Nayab Singh responds
As the campaign heats up, the rivalry between Congress and AAP highlights the challenges of maintaining unity within the opposition, especially when regional and ideological differences come to the fore.
