News Brief
Delhi Polls: Rahul Gandhi Slams INDI Alliance Partner Arvind Kejriwal Over 'Sheeshmahal' And Liquor Scam
Rahul Gandhi
Echoing the BJP's criticism of Arvind Kejriwal, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (28 January) accused his INDI bloc ally of constructing a lavish 'sheeshmahal' for himself and orchestrating what he called the "largest liquor scam" in the country's history.
Speaking at an election rally in Patparganj, Rahul slammed Kejriwal for not standing up for poor and being not available when communal riots broke out in the capital city in 2020.
"Arvind Kejriwal had a small car when he came into politics. He promised to do a new kind of politics. But when the poor needed help, he was nowhere to be seen. When violence broke out in Delhi, he was nowhere to be seen," Rahul Gandhi said, India Today reported.
"You (Kejriwal) had said you would do clean politics, but committed the biggest liquor scam. We have also seen the picture of Kejriwal ji's house, he lives in sheeshmahal," the Gandhi scion added.
Hitting back, Kejriwal countered Rahul Gandhi’s remarks by questioning why the Congress leader remained silent on the Prime Minister’s official residence, which he termed a ‘rajmahal.’
He further claimed that Gandhi’s speech closely mirrored BJP’s criticisms.
"People are asking why Rahul Gandhi is silent on 'Rajmahal'. Today, Rahul ji repeated the entire speech of the BJP in Delhi. Tell the public what agreement has been reached between the BJP and Congress?" Kejriwal asked.
Gandhi further intensified his criticism, targeting senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia.
He alleged that Sisodia was the 'architect' of the liquor scam, working alongside Kejriwal, and accused him of running away from his Patparganj seat.
"Patparganj MLA Manish Sisodia was the architect of the liquor scam with Arvind Kejriwal and that is why he ran away from the seat," he said.
Shifting his focus, Gandhi launched an attack on the BJP and its ideological ally, the RSS, accusing them of inciting hatred and division across India.
"On one side are the people of the BJP-RSS, who spread hatred and violence in the country. On the other hand, is the Congress Party and our ideology. We open a shop of love in the market of hatred. We don't want an India of hatred, fear and violence. We want a shop of love," Rahul Gandhi said.
