‘Public rejected Congress, AAP’: Rekha Gupta targets INDIA bloc
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta alleges Congress and AAP are using SIR protests to serve political agendas after public rejection in Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc on Wednesday, accusing the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of orchestrating protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to further their own political interests.
Addressing a press conference, Gupta questioned the timing and motives behind the opposition's demonstrations, noting that the SIR exercise is a routine process that has been conducted many times before. She pointed out that the last such revision in Delhi occurred in 2002, a period when the Congress party held power at the Centre, yet no similar outcry was witnessed then.
Allegations of Political Agenda and Economic Loss
The Chief Minister suggested that the current wave of resentment from the opposition stems from their declining electoral performance in the national capital. She remarked that the public has effectively rejected both the Congress and the AAP, leading to a sense of frustration within their ranks.
Gupta also highlighted the collateral damage caused by these demonstrations, stating that the protests have resulted in financial losses worth crores of rupees for the city. "Traders and the general public are facing immense hardship," she said, adding that the opposition is misleading the nation to serve a specific political agenda.
She further turned her attention to the Aam Aadmi Party, questioning why they remained silent when they first came to power following previous SIR exercises, only to suddenly find their voice through sit-ins and protests now that their popularity has waned.
Shifting Focus to Punjab's Law and Order
Expanding her critique, Gupta questioned why the opposition's focus remains on Delhi while critical issues in neighbouring Punjab are being overlooked. She cited rising crime rates, including a recent murder and the prevalence of drug rackets in the state, as areas requiring urgent attention.
“Why isn't your focus on Punjab? It has been Congress's policy to assert a sense of entitlement over everything that happens in the country,” Gupta remarked, accusing the party of ignoring the struggles of common people in Punjab to focus on political theatre in Delhi.
Emphasis on Central Welfare Schemes in Delhi
Turning the conversation toward governance, the Chief Minister highlighted the seamless implementation of Central Government welfare schemes in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She claimed that since her government took office in February 2025, there has been a concerted effort to ensure residents receive direct benefits from these initiatives.
Gupta specifically mentioned the following achievements and schemes:
- Ayushman Bharat Yojana: The state government has supplemented the Central Government's ₹5 lakh health cover with an additional ₹5 lakh from the state. To date, 9 lakh people have enrolled, and approximately 65,000 claims have been settled.
- Vaya Vandana Yojana: A scheme receiving direct support from the Central Government to assist the elderly.
- Jan Aushadhi Yojana: Continued implementation to provide affordable medicines.
- Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs: Efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure across the city.
The Chief Minister concluded by asserting that previous administrations had shown no desire to adopt schemes bearing the 'Pradhan Mantri' name, but her government has made it a priority to bring those benefits directly to the people of Delhi from day one.