New Delhi:People in Delhi are frustrated by the AAP government's frequent clashes with the lieutenant governor and the Centre and are looking at the BJP as an alternative, said Kapil Mishra, BJP's candidate for the Karawal Nagar seat in the upcoming polls.
In an interview with PTI, Mishra said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has failed on governance issues and added that the party "does not have a CM candidate" as the Supreme Court has imposed "restrictions" on Arvind Kejriwal. He also said fielding people accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots has "hurt the people of Delhi".
Mishra will face Manoj Tyagi from the ruling AAP and PK Mishra from Congress in the February 5 polls in the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency, which saw communal violence in riots in the national capital in 2020. It has over 3.07 lakh voters.
"The wounds of the 2020 northeast Delhi riots are still fresh, and we will not forget what happened. Bringing the accused into the election fray is a deliberate attempt to rub salt into our wounds," Mishra said and added that his party was not seeking votes in the name of the riots.
"Tahir Hussain has been given a seat in Mustafabad, which is hurting the people of Delhi. They are deliberately rubbing salt into our wounds," he said. Hussain, who is a former AAP councillor jailed for alleged involvement in the riots, is contesting the election from the Mustafabad seat on a ticket by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
The AIMIM has also fielded Shafa-ur-Rehman, who is also in jail in a riots-related case, from Okhla. Mishra also alleged that both the AAP and the Congress are solely focusing on Muslim voters and do not care about the rest of Delhi's residents.
Over 50 people were killed and scores of others injured in the northeast Delhi riots that happened following clashes between supporters and opponents of the Citizenship Amendment Act in February 2020.
Mishra, in a controversial speech before the riots, had given an ultimatum, threatening to remove those protesting on roads against the CAA in Delhi's Jaffrabad. The speech was blamed by a section for being among the triggers for the communal violence.
Asked about his Hindutva image at the party, Mishra said he had received "positive feedback" for it. "We are not affected by the negative comments," he said. "Hindutva is not an election issue for us, it is our way of life. And if we have to pay a price for it in politics, we are willing to pay that price," the BJP leader added.
Mishra, who was earlier an AAP leader, asserted that the BJP will form the next government in Delhi. "The people of Delhi want a government that can work with the prime minister to develop the city."
"People are frustrated with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, which is constantly engaging in conflicts with the central government or the LG. This has frustrated the people who are now looking at the BJP as an alternative," the BJP leader said.
"The party does not have a CM candidate because Arvind Kejriwal cannot become CM due to Supreme Court's restrictions. On February 8, Kejriwal will not only be an ex-CM but also an ex-MLA," he added.
Questioning Kejriwal's governance, Mishra said, "Why are Delhi's roads in bad condition? Why is the air polluted? Why is the water quality poor? He should address these issues, including the polluted state of the Yamuna."
Kejriwal has failed to deliver during his ten-year tenure and has nothing to show for his time as CM, Mishra said. "People in his constituency are upset with him," he said.
On BJP's poll campaign in Delhi, Mishra said party candidates are very enthusiastic. "We feel stronger than ever after PM Modi's speech. We are excited and confident as we approach the final phase of the election campaign." Mishra said he and Mohan Singh Bisht who is the BJP's candidate from Mustafabad are determined to win and bring development to the region.
Mishra said that if he is elected, his priority would be to address pressing local issues. "There are significant problems with drainage, damaged roads and traffic congestion in the area, which will be fixed first. Then, we will focus on water supply, connectivity, cleanliness, building parks, sports centres and marriage halls. These basic facilities are missing, and we will work to provide them."
He also added that in this election, the youth will vote against false promises of "free Wi-Fi, new colleges and jobs" made in the past. Now, they are attracted by PM Modi's vision, Mishra added.
