Delhi Elections: Yogi Targets AAP; Alleges Discrimination Against Valmiki Priests

New Delhi- In a fiery election rally for the BJP's Delhi Assembly campaign, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the ruling party of systematic discrimination against Valmiki community religious leaders.

Speaking at a campaign event for BJP candidate Bajrang Shukla in the Kirari constituency, Yogi highlighted what he called a calculated exclusion of Valmiki temple priests from government financial assistance schemes. He alleged that the AAP's policy of providing financial support to religious leaders deliberately marginalized the Valmiki community.

"The AAP's agenda deliberately excludes priests of Valmiki temples," Adityanath claimed, characterizing the scheme as a deliberate act of religious polarization. He criticized the party's approach as a "Banto aur raj karo" (divide and rule) strategy, arguing that the initial implementation of the scheme first included Moulvis before selectively expanding to other religious leaders.

Branding the AAP as a "jhoot ka ATM" (an ATM for dispensing lies), the UP Chief Minister painted a stark picture of the party's governance failures. He contrasted the AAP's performance with the achievements of "double-engine" BJP governments in neighboring states.

Drawing parallels with successful development in Uttar Pradesh, he pointed to infrastructure upgrades in religious sites like Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj, where 1,000 places of worship have reportedly received makeovers.

Referencing the recent Lok Sabha elections where Delhi voters gave a 7-0 mandate to the BJP, Yogi expressed confidence that the electorate would repeat their verdict in the upcoming Assembly polls on February 5.

The election, set to determine the composition of Delhi's 70-member Assembly, will see results declared on February 8. The BJP is banking on high-profile campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath to reclaim power in the national capital after a 27-year hiatus.