New Delhi: A new political controversy broke out in the national capital on Saturday after Leader of Opposition Atishi accused Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s husband of being present at an official meeting with senior officers from the MCD, DJB, PWD, and DUSIB.

Atishi, sharing a photo on social media platform X, claimed that the Delhi government was effectively being run by the Chief Minister’s husband. She likened the situation to what is often witnessed in rural governance structures.

“Look at this photo carefully. The person who is taking the meeting of the officers of MCD, DJB, PWD and DUSIB is the husband of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta,” Atishi wrote in her post.

“Earlier we used to hear that if a woman Sarpanch was elected in the village, then all the government work would be handled by her husband... But this must be the first time in the history of the country that a woman has become the Chief Minister and all the government work is being handled by her husband,” she added.

She further questioned whether ongoing issues like frequent power outages and rising private school fees were influenced by the Chief Minister’s husband’s role in administration.

BJP defends Rekha Gupta, slams Atishi’s remarks

In response, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticised Atishi for making what he termed an “insulting” statement.

Posting on X, Sachdeva defended Rekha Gupta, stating that she had worked her way up “through hard work and determination” and argued that it was “perfectly normal” for family members to support public representatives.

“Atishi being a woman yourself, it is surprising you are insulting another woman leader. Rekha Gupta has worked her way up from DUSU Secretary to Delhi CM. Her husband supporting her is neither illegal nor unethical,” he said.

Sachdeva also drew attention to similar involvement of spouses among AAP leaders, referencing Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, who addressed the public from the Chief Minister’s office after his arrest.

“Was that not an insult to democracy?” he questioned.

PTI