Delhi Election 2025: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ramesh Bidhuri, contesting from the Kalkaji constituency against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, on Sunday strongly refuted claims made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal that he is being considered as the BJP’s chief ministerial face for Delhi. In a statement on Sunday, Bidhuri accused Kejriwal of spreading false propaganda and reiterated his loyalty to the BJP and its ideology.  

“I am a dedicated worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has consistently blessed me and placed its trust in me,” Bidhuri said, adding that he holds no aspirations for any post and considers such claims baseless.  

Addressing the allegations, Bidhuri accused Kejriwal of misleading the public and attempting to create a false narrative, “Arvind Kejriwal has started a misleading propaganda about me. I want to make it clear that I am not a claimant for any post.”

Ramesh Bidhuri (@rameshbidhuri) , BJP’s candidate from Kalkaji against Delhi CM Atishi, accuses AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of spreading propaganda against him. He said in a statement that he is not a claimant to any post, and it is baseless to refer to him as a chief ministerial… pic.twitter.com/0MxYg7HqTV

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2025

“By making such declarations about me, Arvind Kejriwal has indirectly accepted that the BJP will form the government in Delhi, and he has conceded his defeat. It is well known that the people of Delhi are extremely displeased with him. They want relief from issues like the liquor scam, education scam, healthcare scam, the Sheesh Mahal scam, broken roads, and dirty drinking water,” he stated.

He urged people not to believe the AAP’s claims, “I appeal to you not to fall for the traps of the AAP party. Give a majority to the BJP because the BJP is dedicated to the citizens of Delhi. I am as devoted to the Bharatiya Janata Party as I am to the people. Talking about me being in contention for the chief minister’s post is completely baseless. I will continue to serve as your servant tirelessly.”

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This comes after Kejriwal, during a press conference on Saturday, had claimed he had “reliable sources” suggesting that the BJP would announce Bidhuri as its chief ministerial candidate within a day or two. He challenged Bidhuri to a public debate, stating, “In this debate, people can assess who to vote for, based on what each has accomplished, their visions, and their plans for Delhi.”  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed Kejriwal’s remarks as “canard for political mileage.” Speaking at the ‘Jhuggi Basti Pradhan Sammelan,’ Shah questioned Kejriwal’s authority to decide BJP’s leadership, saying, “Can Kejriwal decide the BJP’s chief ministerial face? Who is he to make such claims?” He further accused Kejriwal of betrayal and dishonesty, asserting that Delhi residents were aware of his tactics.  

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva also criticised Kejriwal, stating, “Kejriwal should consult legal experts and understand that as per Supreme Court bindings, he cannot even be sworn in as chief minister.” He reaffirmed that the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate would be decided through a democratic process by elected MLAs.

The Kalkaji constituency has become a high-stakes battleground, with Bidhuri taking on Atishi, who is seeking re-election. Controversies surrounding Bidhuri’s past remarks have added to the heated political climate. His previous statements about Atishi changing her surname and comment mentioning Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi had drawn sharp criticism. He later expressed regret for his remarks.  

The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for 5 February, with results to be announced on 8 February. The AAP, aiming for a third consecutive term, is seeking to defend its dominant position after winning 62 seats in 2020. The BJP, which secured eight seats in the last election, is looking to make significant gains in the 70-member assembly.