Atishi throws gauntlet at BJP on bus marshals’ issue
Accusing the party of engaging in “dirty politics” regarding the regularization of bus marshals, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has thrown the gauntlet at the BJP. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, she stated, “I challenge BJP: within a week, AAP’s Delhi government will send a proposal to the LG for regularizing these 10,000 marshals. BJP has a week to ensure the L-G approves it.”
Atishi came down heavily on the BJP for what she described as political exploitation of the bus marshals’ issue, remarking, “BJP is only engaging in dirty politics and will not allow the L-G to approve their regularisation proposal.”
“Arvind Kejriwal gave jobs to people from poor families as bus marshals, but BJP took away those jobs.” She urged the BJP to cease its political manoeuvers, insisting that “the people of Delhi know that AAP stands with bus marshals in their struggle.”
Challenge to BJP
I challenge BJP: within a week, AAP’s Delhi government will send a proposal to the LG for regularising 10,000 marshals. BJP has a week to ensure the L-G approves it. — Atishi, Delhi Chief Minister
Will meet you at 11 am
No matter how many stories you come up with, I am coming to your official residence tomorrow, November 4, at 11 am with party leaders and workers to demand the reinstatement orders of bus marshals. — Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi BJP president
Atishi further claimed that while the AAP has fulfilled its promises to regularise contract workers, the BJP has failed to do so in its own states. “All of Delhi, all bus marshals, and civil defence volunteers recognise BJP’s dirty politics,” she asserted.
In response to recent tensions, she noted, “When BJP withheld the marshals’ salaries, our ministers and MLAs fought continuously to ensure they were paid.” Atishi stated, “I want BJP to know that all of Delhi is watching. Their role is only dirty politics, while AAP is determined to secure the rights of bus marshals.” She also pointed out the contrasting conditions for contract workers in BJP-ruled states, claiming that “if there’s one party in the country that has regularised contract workers, it is the Aam Aadmi Party.”
Responding to Atishi’s statements, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva labelled her remarks as “strange and ironic,” questioning why her government had not reinstated the bus marshals despite the Lieutenant Governor’s directive. “The Civil Defence Volunteers are temporary workers who receive daily wages, and due to Atishi’s government’s negligence, it doesn’t seem they will be reinstated in the next 3-4 days,” he stated.
Sachdeva challenged Atishi to identify a BJP-governed state where contract workers are facing wage crises. “No matter how many stories you come up with, I am coming to your official residence tomorrow, November 4th, at 11 AM with party leaders and workers to demand the reinstatement orders for the bus marshals,” he said.
