AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj alleges ₹22,000 crore rice scam plan by Delhi govt

Allegation of a massive scam

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused the Delhi government of a planned ₹22,000 crore scam in the distribution of subsidised rice. The charge, made public on Sunday, has triggered a sharp political confrontation in the capital.

Bharadwaj, a former minister, alleged that the scheme was designed to divert funds meant for the poor. He claimed that the plan involves irregularities in the procurement and supply chain of rice under the public distribution system.

The AAP leader did not provide a detailed breakdown of the alleged scam but insisted that evidence exists. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, demanding answers from the current administration.

Delhi minister hits back

The Delhi government has dismissed the allegations outright. Minister Sirsa, who oversees the food and civil supplies portfolio, termed the claims 'fabricated and malicious'.

Sirsa warned of legal action against AAP leaders for making what he called baseless accusations. He asserted that the distribution of subsidised rice has been transparent and that all records are open to scrutiny.

The minister accused AAP of resorting to smear tactics to deflect attention from its own governance failures. He challenged Bharadwaj to present concrete proof rather than making sweeping allegations.

Political context and reactions

The accusation comes amid heightened political rivalry in Delhi, with AAP and the ruling party locked in a bitter war of words. The rice scam allegation is the latest salvo in an ongoing exchange over governance and welfare schemes.

Opposition parties have also weighed in, demanding a probe into the matter. Some have called for a central agency investigation to ensure impartiality, while others have questioned the timing of the allegation.

Neither side has provided official documents or audit reports to support their positions so far. The public, meanwhile, remains divided, with many awaiting clarity on the veracity of the claims.

What lies ahead

The next steps will depend on whether either party files a formal complaint with the anti-corruption bureau or the courts. Legal action, as threatened by Sirsa, could escalate the row into a judicial battle.

For now, the focus remains on the demand for evidence. With both sides digging in, the dispute is likely to intensify in the coming days, keeping the issue in the political spotlight.