BJP says Delhi minister is racist, AAP says BJP backing prostitution

New Delhi: BJP today accused Delhi's Law Minister Somnath Bharti of "racism," prompting AAP to hit back at the saffron party, saying instead of backing ministers fighting against drugs and prostitution, it was "supporting" the vices.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Bharti has created serious problems for Africans staying in the capital. The Delhi Law Minister is at the centre of a raging row over a midnight raid against some African women in south Delhi, alleging that a drug and prostitution racket was taking place in the area.

Jaitley said, "His (Bharti) approach appears to be a racist one. The party within days has become a victim of its own unconventional style. Mobs can't take decisions. They can at best be populist."

Lashing out at BJP, Aam Aadmi Party said, "(Women and Child Development Minister) Rakhi Birla and Somnath Bharti were fighting against prostitution, drug addiction and protection of women.

Jaitley accused Delhi minister Somnath Bharti of racism. AFP

"Instead of backing them, it is surprising to know that BJP is supporting prostitution and drug peddling," AAP leader Sanjay Singh told a press conference here.

"This shows how BJP wants to take itself ahead and the way it opposes AAP. This is their desperation," he said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has defended Bharti, saying he acted on the complaint of people, and instead accused police of not acting on the minister's complaint.

Jaitley also attacked AAP, wondering if the dharna planned by Kejriwal to demand suspension of some police officials is a ploy for "a way out of the government and get back to the streets".

"Is the planned dharna for one day a ploy to fracture its non-transparent arrangement with Congress? Is the AAP looking for a way out of the government and get back to the streets? Or is it exploiting the non-preparedness of Congress and the Home Minister into yielding to its demand," he said in a
statement.

PTI