Poster vs poster: BJP returns fire for AAP's ad targeting PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The Delhi BJP on Saturday hit back at the Aam Aadmi Party's "Prime Minister Sir" posters, put up across the Capital last week, with one of its own.

In its poster, the BJP tells "Kejriwal Sir" the things the Delhi CM could have done with the Rs 526 crore the state government had budgeted for its advertisments.

"Governments publicise themselves, but that's not the question," said BJP's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay. "The way they (AAP) have spent Rs 526 crore on advertisment, Delhi's public wants know if this money could have been used rationally by installing 5 lakh cameras for safety, building 200 new schools and 50 new colleges. But the advertisement will not make their future as you are just advertising for yourselves," Upadhyay said.

"You could have brought 2000 new buses, AC buses in Delhi and you could have solved Delhi's traffic problem, but you paid no heed to them. You could have looked after the 1,000 unauthorized colonies where there are electricity and water problems," the ad put out says.

The AAP government had a week back removed posters and hoardings in which it had taken a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to allow it to work. In its posters and hoardings which were critical of Modi, Kejriwal alleged the PM was creating hurdles in his government's functioning.

"Prime Minister Sir, please, let Delhi government work," the posters read. The AAP government had came out with similar advertisements on TV channels and radio.

The posters and hoardings were put up across the city after Kejriwal shot off a terse letter to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on July 23, accusing him of acting at the behest of Modi. The letter was written two days after Jung had struck down appointment of Swati Maliwal by Kejriwal as chief of Delhi Commission for Women.

Kejriwal in other ads targeted the Delhi Police over the brutal murder of a 19-year-old girl in the capital. The posters were also withdrawn.

"You could have given 1-year pension to 5 lakh people. Delhi's youngsters were looking up to you to as you had promised WiFi to them...you could have used this money for their development. But you didn't do any of these," Upadhyay said.

"Kejriwal should reveal about the advertisement expenditures, including TV, FM ads. Delhi wants to know how much was spent on full-page ads," he added.

The BJP had slammed the AAP for the advertisements against the Prime Minister. Officials said the government decided to remove the posters and hoardings as a mark of respect to former President APJ Abdul Kalam.