Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | 'Changed her father': CM Atishi breaks down over Bidhuri's remarks

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday broke down while referring to her BJP rival's controversial comments against her, asking how can politics stoop so much that her ailing father is abused for votes.

Atishi's reaction came a day after Bidhuri, who was fielded against the Chief Minister, took a jibe at her claiming that she has "changed her father" after referring to her dropping her surname 'Marlena'.

She said that her father had been a teacher his whole life and taught a large number of students from poor and lower middle-class families.

"He is now 80 years old and so unwell that without help, he cannot move. Now for election and votes, will you stoop to this level, that you will shower abuses on an elderly person," she said, breaking down, during a press conference.

"I never thought that politics would stoop to this level. Bidhuri himself was an MP for ten years from South Delhi and he should tell people what he has done for Kalkaji (which falls under South Delhi Lk Sabha constituency). He should tell people whether his ten years as MP or my five years as MLA was better for Kalkaji rather than abusing my old father. Seeking vote by abusing by father is very sad," she told reporters.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal posted on X, "Atishi-ji, you are an inspiration for all the women of Delhi. By abusing you, BJP has not only insulted you but every woman of Delhi. Every woman of Delhi will give a befitting reply to BJP for this insult."

At a BJP rally on Sunday, Bidhuri had said that Kejriwal had claimed he would not form an alliance with the corrupt Congress while Atishi has "changed her father. Earlier she was Marlena, now she is Singh. She has changed her father. This is their character”.

Her comments came at a press conference she held with AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha during which they also claimed that a 'voters' scam' in the New Delhi constituency and said at least nine people in whose names application for deletion of names were given have told an EC hearing that they have not given any such applications.

Citing that the draft electoral rolls published in October last year was 1.06 lakh and out of this Atishi claimed applications have been filed for deleting 6,166 votes, which is 5.77 per cent of the total votes. She said another 10 per cent names have been added.

Meanwhile, BJP continued its attack on the AAP over the 'Sheesh Mahal' issue. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said those people who used to say that they won't take government bungalows and take cars, have forgotten what they promised.

He claimed that the CAG report, which is yet to be tabled in Delhi Assembly, unravels the "black deeds of corruption" that happened under the AAP government.