Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a sharp counter-offensive in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, expressing deep pain over how her verbal slips were allegedly weaponised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members to attack her dignity. She asserted that the opposition finds it difficult to accept a woman chief minister working round the clock.
Verbal Slips and Political Memes: The Core of the Conflict
Replying to the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor's address, CM Gupta, without directly naming AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, launched a pointed critique. She contrasted her own inadvertent mistakes, like saying 'Congress' instead of 'British', with what she called Kejriwal's conscious misleading statements. "He consciously swore on his children that he would neither seek power nor accept government posts, official bungalows or vehicles, and would never ally with Congress," Gupta stated, referencing Kejriwal's political journey from hunger strikes at Ramlila Maidan to the 'Sheesh Mahal'.
The Chief Minister specifically addressed the memes and reels made by AAP after she mistakenly said 'AIQ' instead of 'AQI' (Air Quality Index). "I am pained by the way AAP functionaries behaved. They do not like a woman running govt or a woman chief minister working 24x7, doing so many things… They are unable to tolerate it," she said, accusing them of making cheap comments and baseless allegations.
Governance and Pollution: A Clash of Narratives
Shifting to governance, CM Gupta detailed her administration's efforts to combat pollution and boost public transport. She announced that the Delhi Metro network, currently spanning 394 km, is planned to be expanded beyond 500 km. Other initiatives highlighted included opening two new vehicle fitness centres, starting bicycle services at 17 metro stations, and getting permission for three more metro corridors.
"The plan is to develop a public transport culture where people are not ashamed to use public transport instead of a private vehicle," she added. Taking a swipe at the previous AAP government's measures, Gupta questioned the efficacy of their Rs 25-crore smog tower, which she claimed didn't last a month, while defending her government's attempt at cloud seeding.
AAP MLA and former environment minister Gopal Rai countered, stating that slogans and abuses cannot clean Delhi's air. He argued that if the current BJP government merely continued the work done under Kejriwal, pollution would reduce. Rai pointed out that Delhi's 'good air' days had increased from 109 in 2016 to 209 due to sustained governance.
Legislative Business: Key Bills Get Assembly Nod
Amid the heated exchanges, the Delhi Assembly passed several significant bills. These included:
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, aimed at decriminalising minor offences to ease business and reduce court burdens.
- The Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2025, which provides for a full refund of court fees in cases where disputes are settled out of court.
- The Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Bill, a progressive move that allows women employees to work night shifts, enhancing workforce participation and safety provisions.
The day's proceedings underscored the intense political rivalry in the national capital, with personal barbs, policy disputes, and legislative action all unfolding on the floor of the House.
