AAP slams BJP over ‘thick-skinned’ remark, accuses Delhi Ministers of corruption, threats

AAP accuses BJP of pressuring officers for commissions, highlighting tensions between the two parties in Delhi governance.

The AAP accused the BJP on Friday (March 21, 2025) of targeting officers and pressuring them for a 10-per cent commission on government projects, after Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma called officials "thick-skinned".

There was no immediate response from the BJP over the allegations.

At a press conference in New Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former chief minister Atishi questioned why the same officers, who worked efficiently under her party's government, were now being criticised.

"What has changed in just one month? These are the same officers who built the Signature Bridge and transformed Delhi's government schools. The BJP is abusing them because the AAP never asked for any commission. Officers have told us that BJP ministers are demanding a 10-per cent cut on all projects and those who refuse are being threatened with suspension, despite the fact that no Delhi minister has the power to do so, only the LG has the power to do that," she said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Verma said during a field visit that "all officers have become thick-skinned in the last 10 years. We are making them sweat in the field. We are also sweating in the field and they will also sweat now, burn their fat and do the job".

The Minister also ordered the suspension of an executive engineer for poor de-silting of a drain in the Akshardham temple area.

Taking a dig at the BJP, newly-appointed Delhi AAP chief and former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj asked the saffron party not to feel bad, reminding it that the elected government in the national capital cannot suspend any officer.