Union Home Minister Amit Shah (L) and Arvind Kejriwal
Credit: PTI Photos
New Delhi: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed that controversial leader Ramesh Bidhuri is BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate and challenged him for debate, even as Home Minister Amit Shah hit back asking who is Kejriwal to decide for the saffron party.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said "sources in the BJP" have told AAP leaders that the party has decided on Bidhuri's name and would be announcing it soon. Bidhuri is contesting against senior AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
"Once Bidhuri's candidacy is officially announced, I propose that to strengthen democracy, there should be a public debate between the AAP's candidate and the BJP's candidate, Ramesh Bidhuri, in front of the people of Delhi, the nation, and the media," Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal said a debate between him and Bidhuri would strengthen democracy and Bidhuri could clarify his plans if he were to become chief minister. Bidhuri had landed in trouble for making anti-women remarks against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Atishi.
"In this debate, people can assess who to vote for, based on what each has accomplished, their visions, and their plans for Delhi...Yes, we are challenging the BJP to a debate," he said.
Countering Kejriwal, the Home Minister told the 'Jhuggi Basti Pradhan Sammelan' that the AAP chief was "spreading the canard" for political mileage and asked, "Can Kejriwal decide the BJP's chief ministerial face? Who is he to make such claims?"
Shah alleged that Kejriwal was attempting to manipulate public perception. "Lies, betrayal and going back on promises are his qualities," Shah said.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said Kejriwal should first consult legal experts whether he can become the Chief Minister, as he cited the Supreme Court ruling which put some bar on the AAP chief's activities regarding governance.
He said elected MLAs would decide the party's leader after the election, in what is a "clear indication that the party has no plans to project a Chief Ministerial candidate for the elections."