AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has intensified his attack on the central government with a sharp critique aimed at the BJP, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include the Jat community in the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list. This move, Kejriwal argues, would grant the community long-overdue access to reservations in education and government jobs, ensuring social justice and equal opportunities. Kejriwal accused the BJP-led central government of betraying the Jat community for a decade, claiming that the party only acknowledges the community's significance during election seasons, a criticism he amplified as Delhi prepares for its Assembly elections on February 5.
The Jat community holds considerable influence in Delhi's political landscape, constituting an estimated 8-10% of the electorate. With elections around the corner, Kejriwal has strategically brought the issue of Jat reservations to the forefront, framing it as a critical matter of fairness and accountability. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kejriwal lambasted Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP, accusing them of making empty promises to the Jats. "For ten years, the Jat community in Delhi has faced betrayal. They are denied reservation benefits in colleges, universities, and central government jobs. The BJP remembers the Jats only during elections and forgets them as soon as the votes are counted," he declared.
Kejriwal’s letter to Prime Minister Modi outlined the disparities faced by the Jat community, specifically highlighting the inconsistency in their treatment across states. While members of the Jat community in Rajasthan benefit from inclusion in the Central OBC list, Jats in Delhi are excluded from similar advantages. This exclusion impacts their ability to access opportunities in central government institutions, including Delhi University, Delhi Police, NDMC, DDA, AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The denial of these opportunities, Kejriwal argued, has perpetuated systemic injustice against thousands of OBC youth in Delhi.
The AAP leader called on the central government to abandon its "biased attitude" and promptly address what he described as an anomaly in the Central OBC list. He also urged the government to rectify the situation for five other OBC castes facing similar exclusion. "This breach of promise by the central government is causing immense harm to the aspirations and futures of countless young people from the Jat and OBC communities in Delhi," Kejriwal said in his letter.
Kejriwal's attack is part of a broader campaign strategy as AAP seeks to retain power in Delhi. The AAP chief is scheduled to meet with the Election Commission later today, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Delhi Minister Atishi, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh. They are expected to raise concerns about alleged manipulations in Delhi's voter list, which the party claims is being tampered with to disenfranchise Dalits, slum dwellers, and Poorvanchalis—charges that the BJP has vehemently denied.
Kejriwal also expressed his confidence in AAP’s electoral prospects, framing the upcoming Assembly election as a two-party battle between the AAP and the BJP. "This is not the election of the INDIA alliance," he clarified, underscoring the focus on local issues and governance rather than national coalition politics.
Delhi's Legislative Assembly elections, set to take place on February 5, will see 70 seats contested in a single phase. The counting of votes is scheduled for February 8. As election campaigns intensify, Kejriwal’s emphasis on Jat reservations and voter disenfranchisement is expected to dominate political discourse, adding to the list of pressing local issues like education, healthcare, and infrastructure that have traditionally been AAP’s strongholds.
Meanwhile, the BJP has dismissed AAP’s allegations as baseless, accusing Kejriwal of resorting to divisive politics to secure votes. However, with the Jat community playing a pivotal role in several constituencies, Kejriwal’s push for their inclusion in the OBC list could resonate strongly, further shaping the narrative of an election that promises to be both contentious and closely fought.
