AAP, BJP trade barbs over EWS certificate suspension
A political storm has erupted in the Capital over the status of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) levelling sharp accusations.
AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP-led Delhi Government had suspended the issuance of EWS certificates in a “calculated move” aimed at depriving the poor of their entitlements in education, healthcare, and employment. Speaking at a press conference, Bharadwaj warned that the move could affect thousands of families relying on the 10% EWS quota in private schools, hospitals, and government jobs.
“If certificates are being misused, act against the officers responsible. But why punish the poor? Admissions are underway in universities and schools, and hospital quotas exist for EWS patients—how will they claim these benefits without the required certification?” Bharadwaj questioned.
“If there’s misuse, punish the guilty officers, but why punish the poor?” Bharadwaj asked. “Admissions are underway in universities and schools. Moreover, hospitals have quotas for EWS patients, how will the underprivileged access their rights without certification?”
He cited purported meeting minutes from the Chief Minister’s Office suggesting that EWS certificate issuance would be paused to investigate alleged misuse. Bharadwaj accused the government of siding with private institutions by blocking access to EWS benefits for the underprivileged.
“This is not governance—it’s negligence. Even a village panchayat is running better than Delhi’s administration today,” he said, warning that AAP would launch protests if the decision was not reversed.
In a swift rebuttal, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva refuted the claims, insisting that no ban on EWS certificates had been imposed. He accused the AAP of spreading “confusion and lies” to divert attention from a massive scam involving fake EWS and caste certificates issued between 2015 and 2024.
“Under pressure from AAP MLAs, fake certificates were issued for school admissions and government benefits. We exposed this scam on December 18 last year, but the AAP government did not act because their own leaders were involved,” Sachdeva alleged.
He clarified that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had only directed officials to formulate new guidelines to curb misuse of EWS certificates. “There is no ban. Economically weaker people in Delhi will continue to get the benefits they are entitled to,” he added.
Calling Bharadwaj’s statements politically motivated, Sachdeva said, “After losing elections, he calls himself an unemployed leader and issues daily statements just to stay relevant.”
Delhi