AAP Alleges BJP Govt In Gujarat For Neglecting Tribal Interests

Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party's National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda and Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj held a press conference to sharply criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Gujarat for neglecting tribal interests.

At the press conference, Anurag Dhanda said that grand stages are erected in the name of the tribal community, but the ground reality is that children's scholarships have been stopped, assistance for serious diseases like sickle cell anemia is not being provided, and Anganwadi bills are pending. He questioned why the government has unlimited funds for VIP arrangements, but no money for the education and health of tribal children.

Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj termed it "showcase development," saying that tribal areas face serious problems of malnutrition, education, and health, but the government's priority has become stages, domes, and facilities for VIP guests. He said that this is the same government that wants to confine the tribal community to speeches and photo opportunities, while their real needs are continuously ignored.

The leaders then revealed that the official information received in response to questions asked by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Chaitar Vasava from Dediapada, Gujarat, is extremely shocking. According to the information received from the administration, crores of rupees were spent on various items for the Prime Minister's program. Rs 7 crore was spent on the pandal alone. Rs 3 crore was spent on the dome. Rs 5 crore was spent on stage construction. Rs 2 crore was spent on VIP tea and snacks. Rs 7 crore was spent on buses for transporting people.

Anurag Dhanda stated that this same government provides children living in tribal hostels with only Rs 2,100 for the entire month, which is supposed to cover food, electricity, and all other expenses. On one hand, officials spend thousands of rupees on meals in a single day, while on the other hand, the amount allocated for children's entire monthly expenses is woefully inadequate. This disparity exposes the government's mindset.

Saurabh Bhardwaj further added that when tribal families suffering from sickle cell disease seek help, they are told that there are no grants available. Children's scholarships have been stopped for two years. Schools lack sufficient classrooms. Thousands of children in the district are malnourished, but there is no budget allocated for their nutritional needs. Meanwhile, public funds are being openly squandered on Unity Marches and VIP events.

Both leaders clearly stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) does not consider the tribal community merely a vote bank. The party believes that true development is when tribal children receive education, healthcare, and respect. By raising this issue, the Aam Aadmi Party has given voice to the sentiments of the people and has raised the question of whether development is only for stages and cameras, or also for those children whose future is currently stuck in bureaucratic files.

This voice, which originated in Dediapada, Gujarat, is now being heard across the entire country. These expenditure figures are not just about money; they reveal the government's priorities. The public is now deciding for itself whether it wants VIP glamour or a secure future for its children.