As Arvind Kejriwal Demands Debate With ‘BJP CM Face’ Ramesh Bidhuri, Shah Hits Back With ‘Manipulation’ Barb
Delhi Election 2025: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal seeks debate with BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri, claiming he is the saffron party's CM candidate.
Delhi Election 2025: AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has put forth a fresh demand in front of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. On Saturday, Kejriwal congratulated BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri, claiming reports suggest he will be officially declared as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate in the next one or two days.
“With the Delhi elections approaching, we are receiving reports that Ramesh Bidhuri's name will be officially declared as the BJP's CM face in the next one or two days. I congratulate Ramesh Bidhuri on being chosen as the BJP's CM face. Once his candidacy is officially announced, there should be a debate between the CM candidates of BJP and AAP for strengthening democracy,” said Kejriwal during a press conference.
कल बीजेपी की CEC मीटिंग हुई और सूत्रों से हमें मालूम हुआ है कि BJP ने रमेश बिधूड़ी को अपना CM उम्मीदवार बनाने का फैसला लिया है‼️
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 11, 2025
-@ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/cZa1tvKaSH
He further demanded that Ramesh Bidhuri share his vision for the national capital, "I demand that Ramesh Bidhuri reveal what he did for Delhi as a parliamentarian for 10 years. What is his vision for Delhi?"
On Kejriwal’s remarks regarding the BJP’s chief ministerial face, senior party leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah retorted, "Can Kejriwal decide the BJP's chief ministerial face? His manipulations are understood by Delhi people." ALSO READ | ‘Toilet In Sheesh Mahal Costlier Than Delhi Slums’: Amit Shah Fires Fresh Salvo At Arvind Kejriwal
Earlier in the day, BJP leader Anurag Thakur raised questions over the AAP's chief ministerial face and said, "A big question before the people of Delhi is who is AAP's (CM) face. CM Atishi does not even accept herself as a CM. Is there any honest face in their party?"
Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari reacted to Kejriwal's remarks, "... BJP will declare its chief ministerial candidate... The people of Delhi have understood these tactics very well. The people of Delhi will elect BJP and make BJP's chief minister..."
#WATCH Delhi: On AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's statement, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "... BJP will declare its chief ministerial candidate... The people of Delhi have understood these tactics very well. The people of Delhi will elect BJP and make BJP's chief minister..." pic.twitter.com/sAJMczPgtT
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025
'Educated IITian Vs Serial Abuser': Atishi On Delhi CM Choice, BJP Hits Back
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also weighed in on the issue, claiming on Friday that BJP has decided to project Bidhuri as its chief ministerial candidate. She described this as a “reward” for his controversial behaviour. “It has been learnt from credible sources that the Gali Galauj Party has decided that the most abusive leader of the party, Ramesh Bidhuri, will become their chief ministerial candidate,” Atishi alleged.
In a press conference, Atishi had compared the potential CM candidates, saying, “Now, the Delhiites have to choose whether they want an educated IITian, former IRS officer as chief minister or they want a serial abuser Bidhuri on the post.”
Bidhuri, who has faced backlash for his remarks against Atishi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, recently expressed regret after drawing widespread criticism.
Responding to AAP’s claims, BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat hit back, accusing Kejriwal of disrespecting democracy. “When someone says that Kejriwal is an IIT graduate, so he is entitled to become CM, they insult democracy because elections are not based on degrees,” Sehrawat said, as quoted by news agency PTI. She also criticised Atishi for suggesting Kejriwal would return as chief minister despite restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court.
In September last year, the Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal in the excise policy case, imposing conditions that barred him from working as chief minister without prior approval from the Lieutenant Governor. Kejriwal resigned from the post shortly after, vowing to return only if AAP secured a “certificate of honesty” from the people in the upcoming elections.
The elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are scheduled to be held on 5 February.
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