With CMO video, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta counters AAP's Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh portrait removal claim

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday accused the newly elected BJP-led Delhi government of removing the portraits of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from chief Minister Rekha Gupta's office.
The BJP dismissed the claim as a "rumour," alleging that the AAP was attempting to divert attention from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports set to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly.
Refuting the allegations, CM Rekha Gupta had cameras pan her office inside the Delhi Assembly to disprove Leader of Opposition Atishi’s claim that Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh’s portraits were removed.

Delhi BJP also shared photos of the chief minister's office on social media platform X, stating that portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, the President, and the Prime Minister remain displayed.

BJP leaders accused the AAP of "petty politics," highlighting that when Arvind Kejriwal was CM, he had ordered only Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh's portraits to be displayed in government offices, excluding other leaders.
The issue escalated in the first session of the newly constituted eighth Delhi Assembly, with Leader of Opposition Atishi alleging that the BJP had shown its "anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh stance" by removing the portraits. "This is today's photo taken on an iPad by our MLAs when they went to meet the CM. The portraits have been removed, proving BJP’s anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh politics," Atishi claimed during a press conference.
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, stating that the move has "hurt millions of Ambedkar followers." "The new BJP government removed Babasaheb’s photograph and replaced it with Prime Minister Modi’s. This is not right. I urge the BJP—put up the PM’s photo, but don’t remove Babasaheb’s," he posted on X.


Denying the allegations, cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed the controversy was a deliberate distraction from the CAG report. "This is a clear attempt to shift focus. The portraits of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh remain in the CM's office, alongside those of the PM, President, and Mahatma Gandhi," he said.
Another BJP minister, Ravinder Indraj, accused the AAP of "fear-mongering" ahead of the CAG report's release. "Most of their leaders have been jailed on corruption charges. They are worried the report will further expose them," he said. Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma slammed AAP MLAs for "intruding" into the CM’s office, claiming they disrupted Assembly proceedings.

Amid heated exchanges, Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta adjourned proceedings for 15 minutes, condemning the opposition's conduct. "The opposition is behaving irresponsibly. You will get time, but you cannot hurt the dignity of the House. AAP members have come with an intention to disrupt proceedings," he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta accused AAP of "hiding behind Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh" to cover up its alleged misdeeds. "Should the CM’s office not have a photo of the head of government, the President, or the Father of the Nation? Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb are our guides, and their place remains. I am answerable to the people, not to AAP," she said.
Delhi minister Ashish Sood added that the government was focused on fulfilling promises rather than engaging in political controversies. "Our work will speak for itself. AAP's theatrics will not change the facts," he said.
(With agency inputs)