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The BJP seems to have imported the poll slogan from its Chhattisgarh campaign — where it tripled its tally of seats in last year’s Assembly elections, as it returned to power in the state after five years — to the Capital, even as efforts to finalise candidates for its first list, likely to be announced by December 15, gathered pace.
After it was launched at a party event on Saturday, sources pointed out how ‘Ab Nahin Sahenge, Badal Ke Rahenge’ (Now we won’t tolerate it, we will bring change) was “more than similar” to ‘Au Nai Sahibo, Badal Ke Rahibo’ – the BJP’s poll slogan in Chhattisgarh almost a year ago.
The slogan kicked off a political storm, coming under fire from AAP convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal almost instantly.
“I had already said that if they are voted to power, all the work done by the AAP government with the people of Delhi over the last ten years will be stopped. Today, the BJP has officially announced that they will change everything,” Kejriwal posted on X.
He alleged that this meant availability of 24×7 electricity will end, long powercuts will return and free electricity will stop in addition to flagship AAP government welfare schemes.
“Free bus travel for women will end. Government schools will once again be destroyed. All mohalla clinics will shut down, and free medicines and treatment in government hospitals will cease… To ensure the continuation of the facilities we have provided, people must vote for the AAP,” he added.
Hitting back, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, “The BJP’s slogan for change – ‘Now we won’t tolerate it, we will bring change’ – has become immensely popular among the people within a few hours… Kejriwal is well aware that the BJP’s slogan has rapidly gained popularity among the youth and women in Delhi, leading them to make a firm resolve to oust the corrupt and inefficient government.”
Sachdeva sought to emphasise that the people of Delhi were fully aware that the BJP, if it comes to power, will not stop free electricity and water or remove pink tickets (women can commute for free in public buses in Delhi). “However, those mired in corruption, such as Kejriwal, (AAP’s Manish) Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain, will face bad days and corruption cases,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP on Saturday went into back-to-back huddles to finalise 30 to 35 candidates for its first list of contenders by the end of next week. Sources said the list could be announced by December 14 or 15.
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