The ongoing political rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) escalated on Tuesday with the release of a provocative poster by AAP. The poster targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, mocking him as a “Chunavi (electoral) Musalman,” in a direct challenge to the BJP’s controversial rhetoric surrounding Muslims during election campaigns.
AAP’s Sarcastic Attack on Amit Shah
The poster, filled with subtle jabs and sarcasm, depicted Shah wearing a Kashmiri woollen cap with the iconic Jama Masjid in the background. The text on the poster referred to Shah as the “director” of a fictional film featuring terms like “Rohingyas,” “Bangladeshi,” “Maulvi,” “Maulana,” and “Imam,” among others. The producer of this supposed film was named “Lootus Productions,” a clear reference to the BJP’s party symbol, the lotus.
The bold text on the poster questioned, “Have you ever wondered why the BJP remembers Muslims only during elections?” This attack comes amid ongoing allegations from both parties regarding the issue of Rohingya Muslim and Bangladeshi refugee settlements in Delhi.
Accusations of Exploiting Refugees for Votes
The AAP has long accused the BJP of settling Rohingya refugees in Delhi while publicly criticising them. AAP officials have alleged that the BJP exploits the issue for political gain, accusing them of using the refugee population to increase their vote bank in the capital.
On the other hand, the BJP has responded by accusing the AAP of aiding the settlement of illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, providing them with official documents, and manipulating the situation to create a loyal voter base.
BJP Strikes Back: ‘Chunavi Hindu’ Poster Targeting Kejriwal
The poster targeting Amit Shah is just the latest in a series of tit-for-tat attacks between the two parties. In recent days, the BJP released a controversial poster branding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as a “chunavi (electoral) Hindu.” The poster depicted Kejriwal in a priest-like avatar, wearing rudraksha beads and vermilion, mocking his promise of Rs 18,000 monthly compensation to temple priests and gurdwara granthis ahead of the upcoming Delhi elections.
In addition to the “chunavi Hindu” poster, the BJP has also targeted Kejriwal with other inflammatory messages. One such poster referred to him as a “chaliya naag” (deceptive snake), accusing him of misleading the elderly and women in Delhi with his welfare schemes.
Allegations of Voter List Tampering
The BJP further escalated its attack on AAP by releasing a poster titled “Voter List Me Scam 2024,” drawing inspiration from the popular web series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. This poster accused the AAP of manipulating Delhi’s voter list in order to gain an unfair advantage in the upcoming elections.
Tensions Escalate as Election Nears
As Delhi heads towards its election season, the political battle between the BJP and AAP is intensifying. Both parties continue to engage in bitter attacks through posters and public statements, each accusing the other of playing politics with sensitive issues like religion and refugee settlements.
With the election just around the corner, these inflammatory campaigns are expected to dominate the political discourse in the capital, setting the stage for a fierce battle between the ruling party and the opposition.
