BJP uses Delhi govt's Sikkim advertisement gaffe against Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: An errant advert published by the Delhi government was used as cannon fodder by the opposition to target Arvind Kejriwal in the national capital. BJP blamed the Delhi Chief Minister for putting the onus of his mistakes on others and making government officials as scapegoats for his mistakes.

BJP’s salvo came shortly after Delhi Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal and Kejriwal announced the suspension of a senior official of Directorate of Civil Defence for the controversial which referred to Sikkim as an independent country.

“Pehley mazdooro ko buso mein Anand Vihar bheja, jab pakde gaye toh adhikari ko dosh. Aaj Sikkim ko alag desh bana dala, jab fase toh fir adhikari ko saza. Apni galti auro par madhna aur dusro ki safalta ka shrey khu lena Arvind Kejriwal ki purani aadat hai

(First he sent labourers in to Anand Vihar in buses; sacrificed government officials as scapegoats when he was caught. Now again another government official was punished when he (Kejriwal) made Sikkim a separate country. Arvind Kejriwal is adept at blaming other people for his mistakes and taking credit for others’ success),” BJP Delhi tweeted Saturday evening.

The advertisement in question which was published in newspapers by the Delhi government described Sikkim as a separate country along with Nepal and Bhutan.

It pertained to the recruitment of volunteers for the Civil Defense corps by the government of Delhi. In this advert, the eligibility column for the application mentioned that applicants should be a citizen of India or a “subject of Nepal, Bhutan or Sikkim” -causing the entire controversy.

After the incident came to light, Delhi L-G Baijal tweeted, “A senior officer of Directorate of Civil Defence(HQ)has been suspended with immediate effect for publishing an advertisement which disrespects the territorial integrity of India by making incorrect reference to Sikkim on the same lines as some neighbouring countries”.

Kejriwal reiterated Baija;'s statement saying, "Sikkim is an integral part of India. Such errors also cannot be tolerated. Advertisement has been withdrawn and action taken against the officer concerned".