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.
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. “I am writing this letter in sadness. You have never taken proper decisions in the interest of farmers. Your government has stopped implementation of farmers-friendly central schemes. Your government is not sympathetic towards farmers. Today, farmers in Delhi are upset and worried,” Chouhan said in the letter dated January 1.
Due to the non-implementation of multiple central schemes, Delhi’s farmers are being denied crucial benefits ranging from seed distribution to infrastructure development, he said. The Union minister said the absence of the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission has prevented farmers from accessing benefits for nursery establishment, tissue culture facilities, planting material procurement, and post-harvest infrastructure.
The non-implementation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana has further impacted farmers’ access to agricultural mechanization, precision irrigation, soil health initiatives, crop insurance, and the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, he added. Chouhan expressed concern over Delhi’s failure to implement the Beej Gram programme, which offers benefits including seed distribution, testing facilities, laboratory infrastructure improvement, and assistance for seed certification agencies.
According to Chouhan, Delhi farmers face additional burdens as agricultural equipment like tractors and harvesters are categorized as commercial vehicles, leading to higher purchase costs. Despite the AAP government’s free electricity promises, farmers are being charged commercial rates for power, he said, adding that farmers along the Yamuna are struggling after their irrigation equipment’s power connections were disconnected. “Your government has been in power for the last ten years, and it appears former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has betrayed farmers after making election promises,” Chouhan said. The minister urged the Delhi government to implement central agricultural schemes immediately, stating that political competition should not hinder farmer welfare.
Referring to the ongoing hunger strike by farmers in Punjab, Atishi urged Chouhan to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with the protestors and address their issues. She also asked the BJP to stop “politicising” the farmers’ struggles and accused it of using “bullets and lathis” against farmers. “The condition of farmers has never been as bad as it is during the BJP rule. Farmers in Punjab are on hunger strike. Tell Modi ji to talk to them. Stop playing politics with farmers. Bullets and lathis have been fired on farmers during the BJP rule,” Atishi responded.
Kejriwal, in a post on X, also claimed that the Centre is preparing to implement the now-revoked three farm laws “through the backdoor” by calling it a “policy”. He said copies of the new “policy” have been sent to all states for their views on it. Kejriwal posted on X that while the farmers were on a fast unto death in Punjab, the BJP, due to its arrogance, was not talking to them. The AAP supremo charged that the BJP-led Centre accepted farmers’ demands three years ago but is now reneged on it. “Why do the BJP have such arrogance that it does not even talk to anyone,” Kejriwal asked. “May God keep the farmers who are on an indefinite protest safe, but if something happens to them, the BJP will be responsible for it,” he said in a long post in Hindi.
