AAP attacks BJP as Bedi attempts to cash in on Obama visit

BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi is using the visit of US President Barack Obama to boost the saffron party’s “dwindling support base”, the AAP alleged on Tuesday, as war of words heated up between the two parties ahead of February 7 assembly polls.

Bedi had said that India is ‘flying high’ thanks to (Barack) Obama visit and it was all possible due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts, apparently with an eye on votes for Delhi’s elections in which the BJP is locked in a tough fight with Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Ashish Khetan on Tuesday questioned the timing of Obama’s visit. Another party leader Sanjay Singh said that the BJP was trying to boost its “dwindling support base”.

“This reflects the restlessness and helplessness of the BJP. They now feel that they are not garnering enough support from other quarters,” said Khetan.

Earlier, Bedi, who attended the Republic Day celebrations, mocked her rival and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. 

Slamming Bedi at a public meeting in Mustafabad in North-East Delhi, AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh said he was “disappointed” at the “opportunistic approach” taken by Bedi.

“Kiran Bedi was invited and given front row seat and Kejriwal was not even extended an invitation for the Republic Day parade. Was it not politics from BJP’s side?” asked Khetan.

In a sarcastic remark, party’s political strategist Yogendra Yadav said: “To get a Republic Day 

invitation, let Arvind Kejriwal join the BJP. It shows the arrogance of BJP.”

Coming down heavily of BJP, Yadav further said that “it seems BJP could have asked President Barack Obama to campaign for the saffron party.” The political war of words between the AAP and BJP heated up soon after Bedi was declared BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate. The AAP also added that Bedi is shying away from an open debate with the AAP party Convener Arvind Kejriwal. “Why is Kiranji running away from the debate? She is busy but surely she can take out 2 hrs from her busy schedule. People want to know her stand on issues,” Kejriwal had tweeted earlier.