BJP leaders visit jhuggi clusters, pledge support

In a move aimed at strengthening ties with slum dwellers, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, along with party leaders and workers, on Tuesday participated in the “Ratri Pravas Samvaad” (Night Stay Dialogue) at over 250 listed jhuggi clusters across the city. This initiative is part of the ongoing Jhuggi Vistar Abhiyan, a campaign where the BJP has appointed ‘jhuggi vistarks’ and ‘jhuggi palaks’ to engage with the residents of these clusters.

Sachdeva stayed overnight at Nehru Camp in Vinod Nagar, Patparganj Assembly area, East Delhi, where he, along with other leaders, engaged with the local community.

“We are here to listen to the concerns of jhuggi dwellers and assure them that BJP will always stand by them," Sachdeva said. "We are committed to resolving their basic issues and improving their living conditions."

The BJP leaders, including National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, and senior party leaders like Vijay Goel and Arvinder Singh Lovely, visited various jhuggi clusters, including locations in Krishna Market, Kheda Colony, Indira Vikas Basti, and many more.

The leaders began their visits by paying homage to the portrait of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the community chaupal in each cluster. Following this, they held dialogues with children, local leaders, and women, discussing their aspirations and pressing issues like lack of potable water, sanitation, and infrastructure.

Sachdeva also addressed the criticism from former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had accused BJP leaders of using the night stay as a political stunt. “Kejriwal seems to have lost his political balance, fearing defeat. These accusations are baseless,” said Sachdeva. “BJP leaders have been consistently working with jhuggi dwellers for years, unlike Kejriwal, who only used these areas for political gain.”

BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam added, “The jhuggi residents in Delhi now realize that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has brought progress to their villages in states like U.P., Bihar, and Rajasthan. They are now ready to support BJP in Delhi too.”

Union MOS Harsh Malhotra reminded that it was BJP workers who stood by jhuggi dwellers during the COVID-19 crisis when AAP leaders were absent. “Our leaders have been serving these communities long before the elections,” Malhotra said. “Jhuggi dwellers remember who stood by them during tough times.”

Sachdeva also emphasized BJP's commitment to providing better civic services for jhuggi residents once the party comes to power in Delhi. "We will work for better services through DUSIB and ensure that the jhuggi dwellers' needs are met,” he said.