Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a pointed counterattack on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of corruption and labeled it an "AAPda" (disaster). In response, Kejriwal turned the spotlight on the BJP, asserting that the real "disaster" was within the ruling party.

"The problem isn't in Delhi; the real disaster lies within the BJP," Kejriwal said. He outlined three major criticisms: "First, the BJP lacks a Chief Ministerial face for Delhi. Second, they have no compelling narrative. And third, they lack any concrete agenda for the upcoming Delhi elections."

The war of words escalated following PM Modi's comments during the inauguration of a housing project for slum dwellers in Delhi. Modi accused the AAP government of corruption, pointing to alleged scams involving liquor, schools, and pollution management.

"They are openly engaging in corruption and even publicizing it. It’s a disaster for Delhi, and the people have decided to act against it," Modi declared, adding, "I could have built a glass palace for myself, but my dream is to see every citizen of this country living in a permanent home."

Kejriwal was quick to retort, taking aim at Modi's remarks about a "sheeshmahal" (glass palace). "It’s ironic to hear about a sheeshmahal from someone who resides in a house worth Rs 2,700 crore, flies in an Rs 8,400-crore plane, and wears suits worth Rs 10 lakh," he said.

The AAP leader also accused the BJP of failing to deliver on its promises for Delhi. He pointed out that the BJP's 2020 election manifesto pledged to provide pucca homes for all slum dwellers in the city by 2022. However, Kejriwal noted that only 4,700 homes had been handed over in the past five years.

"In 2020, the Prime Minister promised homes for everyone in Delhi by 2022. Today, in 2025, just 1,700 homes have been handed over here, and another 3,000 were given in Kalkaji earlier. That’s a total of 4,700 homes in five years," Kejriwal said, calling the BJP’s track record woefully inadequate.

He painted a stark picture of the housing shortfall in Delhi, stating, "The city has 4 lakh slums, home to about 15 lakh people. At this pace, it seems the BJP’s manifesto wasn’t meant for five years but for 200."

Kejriwal also accused Modi of devoting the majority of his speech to criticizing the AAP government. "Out of his 43-minute speech, the Prime Minister spent 39 minutes attacking us. If I started listing our achievements in the past 10 years, even three hours wouldn’t be enough," he said.

As Delhi gears up for assembly elections early this year, the exchange between Kejriwal and Modi underscores the high stakes for both parties in the capital’s political landscape.