AAP calls BJP MP ‘insensitive’ for playing cricket amid lockdown
New Delhi: A day after Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari was seen playing cricket in Sonipat in Haryana, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday questioned his action, saying how can a public representative be so insensitive.
Speaking to the media, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said that at this time of crisis, BJP MP Tiwari going to another state to play cricket by violating lockdown norms was an utterly insensitive act.
“Every day thousands of poor migrant labourers are walking on the streets of India, and many of them have lost their lives due to road accidents. But ignoring such a humanitarian crisis, how can an elected public representative go to another state to play cricket? How can a public representative be so insensitive,” Singh asked.
He said the BJP ruled government in Haryana was stopping inter-state movement of doctors and nurses who stay in Haryana, but work in Delhi.
“The Covid warriors are being stopped as the BJP government has closed all roads connecting Delhi and Haryana. I am a resident of Uttar Pradesh and if I want to visit UP to distribute food to the poor people, then the BJP government stops me,” he said.
However, he said, when Tiwari goes to another state to play cricket, the BJP doesn’t stop him.
“This shows how insensitive the BJP is and how much hatred they have against the poor people,” Singh said.
He also said that the incident clearly exposed BJP’s apathy towards the poor and insensitivity towards the migrant exodus.
“The BJP leaders are happily playing cricket but not standing beside the poor migrant labourers,” the AAP leader said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP said that Tiwari went to meet someone in Ganaur, 30 km from the Delhi border, with prior permission.
“But later, on the request of a private stadium owner, he went to see a match where he said spectators were not allowed,” the Delhi BJP said. The party said after playing for an hour, he left for Delhi.
“He is the one who is on ground since the lockdown, helping and feeding the needy, which AAP leaders have failed to do,” it added.
In lockdown 4.0 starting May 18, the Central government has allowed the opening up of stadia sans spectators.