AAP flags 'inferior' bicycles in Delhi scheme, warns of ACB, CBI complaint

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday alleged irregularities in the Delhi government's bicycle distribution scheme for Class 9 girl students and threatened to approach the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if Chief Minister Rekha Gupta does not act on the matter.

Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that bicycles being distributed under the 'Vidya Vahini' scheme were of inferior quality compared to the specifications mentioned in the tender.

Bharadwaj alleged that the bicycles had plastic brake components, loose rims and other shortcomings.

AAP questions bicycle brand

Bharadwaj also questioned the brand of bicycles being supplied to students. He claimed that the 'Skyline' bicycle mentioned in the tender had been discontinued last year and was no longer available in the market.

According to him, bicycles currently being distributed under the scheme are of another brand, 'Ilfit'. He questioned whether the bicycles supplied to students matched the specifications mentioned in the tender.

Bharadwaj said he was ready to submit documents supporting the allegations and asked the Delhi government to verify them. He also offered to bring both bicycles before Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood to demonstrate the alleged differences in their quality and specifications.

Delhi minister rejects allegations

The allegations were raised a day after Education minister Ashish Sood told the Delhi Assembly that bicycles distributed under the Vidya Vahini scheme had been procured transparently through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.

Sood dismissed the allegations raised by AAP MLAs as "noise" and accused them of trying to prove their loyalty to party leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Drawing a parallel with the character Hamza Ali Mazari, played by Ranveer Singh in 'Dhurandhar', Sood said, "All these (allegations levelled by AAP in procurement of) cycle, rice and medicines are their attempt to cover up their failures and to prove, like Hamza, before their leader that they are his men."

AAP warns of complaint to ACB, CBI

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said the government should examine the allegations and take appropriate action.

"If the matter is not addressed, the party would approach the Anti-Corruption Branch or the CBI and lodge a complaint," he said.

The dispute has now put the procurement and quality of bicycles distributed under the Vidya Vahini scheme under scrutiny, with AAP demanding that the government verify its claims.