Political Tensions Erupt Over Bus Marshals’ Regularization in Delhi

AAP Leaders Detained Amid Protests

In a heated political development, Delhi police detained several leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). These leaders protested outside the residence of Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena, demanding the regularization of bus marshals and civil defense volunteers. This clash highlights the growing rift between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Saurabh Bharadwaj Accuses BJP of Betrayal

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj did not hold back in his criticism of the BJP. He accused the party of betraying the trust of 10,000 bus marshals. He stated, “Vijender Gupta assured us that if we passed a resolution in the cabinet, the marshals would be regularized through the LG. However, today, both the LG and BJP leaders have deceived the marshals and the people of Delhi“.

Earlier that day, LG VK Saxena met with bus marshals who sought reinstatement. This meeting added to the political tension surrounding the issue.

Atishi Questions BJP’s Intentions

Moreover, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi raised questions about the BJP’s role. She noted that BJP MLAs had requested a meeting with her the previous day. “We met them and explained that this issue falls under the LG’s jurisdiction, as it involves service matters,” Atishi clarified.

Additionally, she claimed that the BJP remained unwilling to resolve the issue. “The entire cabinet was present, and we made it clear that decisions must be taken by us. The BJP should ask the LG to handle matters within his purview. Instead, they are politicizing the issue,” she asserted.

Emergency Cabinet Meeting and AAP’s Next Steps

In response to the crisis, the AAP quickly called for an emergency cabinet meeting. During this session, the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution to regularize bus marshals. Atishi emphasized that the cabinet had signed the resolution, representing a significant step toward addressing the issue.

BJP Blames AAP for Removing Marshals

In contrast, the BJP blamed the Kejriwal government for the removal of the bus marshals in the first place. BJP State President Virendra Sachdeva pointed out, “Arvind Kejriwal dismissed these bus marshals, and his letter is publicly available. Now, as elections approach, the AAP is suddenly remembering the marshals”.

Furthermore, he noted that while the AAP leaders engaged in “political drama,” the Lieutenant Governor met with a delegation of bus marshals. Sachdeva assured the public that serious action would occur to address the marshals’ concerns.

A Political Game as Elections Approach

Ultimately, this situation has turned into a political battleground. Both the AAP and BJP are trying to capitalize on the bus marshals‘ plight as elections draw near. As each side points fingers, the fate of the bus marshals remains uncertain. Consequently, this issue will likely remain central to upcoming election debates, adding another layer of complexity to Delhi’s political landscape.