Delhi Chief Minister Atishi addresses a press conference at AAP HQ on January 10, 2024 in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

A war of words ensued on Friday after Chief Minister Atishi took a swipe at Ramesh Bidhuri, a former West Delhi Lok Sabha member and her opponent in the Kalkaji Assembly seat, saying the BJP was planning to project him as its chief ministerial candidate for being its “most abusive leader”.

“The entire city wants to know one thing: who is the chief ministerial candidate of the gaali-galauj [verbal abuse] party? The Aam Aadmi Party has already declared its chief ministerial face. People know that if they vote for AAP, Arvind Kejriwal will become the Chief Minister,” she said.

In response, West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said nothing could be more disrespectful to Delhi’s women than the current Chief Minister saying that Mr. Kejriwal would replace her if AAP wins the February 5 election.

‘Kejriwal dreaming’

The BJP MP said Ms. Atishi should have asked herself “how could Arvind Kejriwal, who is bound by restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court, dare to dream of becoming the Chief Minister again”.

While campaigning last week for the election, Mr. Bidhuri had made derogatory remarks against Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ms. Atishi.

He had subsequently expressed regret after receiving flak from the Opposition ranks.