Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, currently in judicial custody, has stirred controversy with his directive to all MLAs to actively engage in addressing the grievances of the people of Delhi.

Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Arvind Kejriwal, relayed his message on Thursday, urging MLAs to prioritize their constituents’ concerns despite his absence. She emphasized Kejriwal’s plea for the uninterrupted well-being of Delhi’s residents and conveyed his prayers for their welfare.

However, the backdrop of the press conference garnered attention, notably featuring a depiction of Arvind Kejriwal behind prison bars, situated between portraits of iconic figures Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Delhi unit swiftly condemned this visual arrangement. Virendraa Sachdeva, the BJP’s Delhi unit president, labeled Kejriwal as “staunch corrupt,” expressing dismay over his juxtaposition with revered historical figures. Similarly, Kapil Mishra, Delhi BJP’s vice president, denounced the placement as “wrong” and “insulting,” criticizing Kejriwal’s alleged involvement in a liquor scam case.

Responding to the controversy, the Delhi BJP accused Kejriwal of indulging in narcissism and questioned his sincerity towards public welfare initiatives. They accused AAP MLAs of neglecting their constituencies, highlighting their purported absence during critical situations such as water shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delhi BJP urged Kejriwal to desist from what they deemed as theatrical gestures on social and traditional media platforms, urging him instead to prioritize substantive governance efforts.