BJP accuses Somnath Bharti of racism

The party feels that the past three weeks have shown that AAP gets into a "self-destructive mode" at the secretariat

Protest by AISA, AIPWA and African Nationals against Somnath Bharti, Law Minister of the Delhi government and against AAP's attack on African Nationals living in Khirki extension in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: Meeta Ahlawat

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday accused Delhi’s Law Minister Somnath Bharti of “racism” and wondered if the dharna planned by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to demand suspension of some police officials is a ploy for “a way out of the government and get back to the streets”.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Aam Admi Party (AAP) is obviously more comfortable doing a dharna than working in the secretariat, noting that the past three weeks have shown that the party gets into a “self-destructive mode” at the secretariat.

“Is the planned dharna for one day a ploy to fracture its non-transparent arrangement with Congress? Is the AAP looking for a way out of the government and get back to the streets? Or is it exploiting the non-preparedness of Congress and the Home Minister into yielding to its demand,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Jaitley was reacting on Mr. Kejriwal’s decision to stage a dharna outside Home Ministry on Monday demanding action against policemen who refused to “cooperate” with Mr. Bharti in cracking down on an alleged drug and prostitution ring involving some Ugandan nationals in South Delhi.

Mr. Jaitley said Ms. Bharti has created serious problems for Africans staying in the capital.

“His approach appears to be a racist one. The party within days has become victim of its own unconventional style.

Mobs can’t take decisions. They can at best be populist,” the leader said.

Mr. Bharti is at the centre of a raging row as he tried to raid an alleged drug and prostitution ring involving foreign nationals but the police refused to do his bidding citing lack of warrant.

Mr. Kejriwal has defended Mr. Bharti, saying he acted on the complaint of people, and instead accused police of not acting on the minister’s complaint.

Mr. Jaitley said AAP used the government formation in Delhi to create enthusiasm among its supporters across the country but its performance is becoming “embarrassing by the day”.

“The party comprises of ideologists, activists, the self-opinionated and the self-righteous. Some of the supporters have joined the party or voted for it with a sense of idealism. Forming a party and running a government is very different from leading an agitation,” he said.