The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are locked in a letter war over the farmers issue. Senior BJP leader and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote a letter to Delhi chief minister Atishi and criticised the AAP government for not implementing several pro-farmer schemes of the Centre in the national capital. In his letter written in Hindi, Chouhan said “political competition” should not become an obstacle to the welfare of farmers. Expressing concern over the condition of farmers, Chouhan told Atishi that Delhi government has no sympathy for farmers and it is very indifferent towards farmers, who are "upset and worried" due to the non-implementation of many welfare schemes by AAP.
In a sharp response to Chouhan’s letter, Atishi hit back accusing the BJP of hypocrisy regarding its stance on farmers and said the saffron party talking about them was like “Dawood (Ibrahim) giving a sermon on non-violence." Criticising the party for its treatment of the farming community, Atishi alleged that the situation of farmers under BJP rule was worse than ever before. "The hardships faced by farmers during the BJP's tenure have never been seen before," the Delhi CM said in her letter to Chouhan.
Meanwhile, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the BJP would be responsible "if something happens" to the protesting farmers in Punjab who are on an indefinite fast over a set of demands, including a legal guarantee on MSP.
Responding to Atishi’s allegations, Chouhan clarified that the Centre was ready to provide benefit to the farmers but the Delhi government had failed to submit the necessary proposals for the schemes. The minister said that during the meeting with farmers they had explained their disappointments at not receiving benefits from the central government. "The Centre stands ready with funds, but their release hinges on state proposals. Unfortunately, Delhi's government has not submitted any proposals, leaving farmers unable to access scheme benefits," Chouhan said in the video message. He urged the Delhi government to set aside political competition for farmers' welfare, emphasising that many schemes operate on a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and states.
Both the BJP and the AAP are locked in the letters war ahead of the Assembly polls in Delhi. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena slammed AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for labeling Atishi as temporary chief minister. S axena described the comments as not only insulting to Atishi but also disrespectful to the President of India and himself as her representative. Hours later Atishi wrote back to Saxena defending Kejriwal. "It is disheartening to note that your letter focuses on criticism rather than constructive cooperation,” she added. On the New Year’s day , Kejriwal has written to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to ask if the RSS will seek votes for the BJP in the Capital, and whether it supports the party’s “wrongdoings”. The letter prompted an attack from BJP which claimed that Kejriwal’s claims against the BJP reflect his “political frustration” and his “fear of losing the polls”. The BJP responded sharply to Kejriwal's letter with a letter. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, "Today, I have written a letter to Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal...we hope that you will abandon your wrong habits of lying and deceit and bring meaningful change within yourself."
In his letter, Chouhan said the AAP government has failed to implement major central initiatives including the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and the Beej Gram programme.
