New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday hit out at AAP-led Delhi government over its reported plans to appoint Swati Maliwal, wife of a party leader, as chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and saying it will approach court "on behalf of people of Delhi" if she was found to be "not qualified" for the post.
Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay expressed doubts if Delhi Government has picked Maliwal, wife of senior AAP functionary from Haryana Naveen Jaihind, to save senior party leaders Kumar Vishwas and Somnath Bharti from respective cases pending against them before DCW.
"On behalf of people, BJP will definitely look into what women empowerment works she (Maliwal) has done in the past. If being an AAP member is the only criteria she has fulfilled, then the (Government) decision raises question mark. We will definitely knock doors of court on behalf of Delhi people if we find no satisfactory answers," Upadhyay told reporters.
Referring to reports claiming Jaihind and Kejriwal as relatives, Upadhyay said whether Delhi Chief Minister was carrying forward the alleged "Jai Hind jijaji (hail brother-in-law)" tradition of Congress by considering Maliwal for the job.
"Jai Hind jijaji. Congress had initiated the Jai Hind (hail brother-in-law) jijaji tradition (in Indian politics). People of Delhi want to know if Kejriwal's AAP too has carried forward the tradition?
"Kind of reports that are emerging in media...some claim Jaihind is a brother-in-law, some say there is some other relationship. We don't want to make any allegation, but definitely we want to know yeh rishta kya kehlata hai (what this relationship hints at)? We need explanation on this," he demanded.
In January 2014, AAP had objected to appointment of Barkha Singh as DCW chairperson by then Congress-led Delhi government saying she had links with certain political party. It had maintained that, ethically, whoever is the chairperson should not belong to any party.
Recalling the same, Upadhyay asked what Kejriwal has to say in the case of Maliwal, whose husband is his party functionary. Maliwal is also political advisor to Kejriwal. Maliwal has been associated with Kejriwal since India Against Corruption (IAC) days and with Greenpeace India.
"Does she fulfil all the criteria of 1994 women act, section 2(3) of which says the chairperson has to be a person who has expertise in issues relating women?" Upadhyay asked.
AAP had in January 2014 nominated its activist Maitreyi Pushpa as DCW chairperson. A file in this connection though was rejected then. Referring to that, the BJP leader said what transpired during last one year that the activist is no more eligible for the post now.
"Or, in other words, what women empowerment works Swati ji did that her name has been considered? Definitely, people want to know," he added. Upadhyay also raised suspicions over increase in DCW budget from Rs 3 crore last year to Rs 8 crore in this fiscal by the government.
Meanwhile, BJP also questioned Kejriwal over him joining hands with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is in alliance with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
"Today, Kejriwal's photo along with Nitish Kumar has appeared in newspapers. You (Kejriwal) claim to be Mr clean in politics. In Nitish Government, Laluji is a partner. So, what is your opinion about Lalu ji Kejriwal sahib? Whether you have joined hands with such politicians? Then why you keep beating drums of having been engaged in different politics?" he asked.
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