BJP criticises Arvind Kejriwal for DU quota demand

Says it reflects his 'petty mindset' and 'regional attitude'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for demanding quota for local students in Delhi University, saying it reflects his "petty mindset" and "regional attitude".

The party said if Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was against meritorious students from outside Delhi entering DU, how could it dream of spreading their political wings in other states.

The Chief Minister in a tweet on Thursday, had termed the admission system of Delhi University as "most bizarre", and said it does not have quota for city students, normalisation of marks or entrance tests.

"Kejriwal's demand reflects his petty mindset and extremely regional attitude," said Surya Prakash Paul, who is the general secretary of BJP's western Uttar Pradesh unit, and Avdhesh Sharma, the general secretary of the outfit's youth wing.

The CM's remarks came days after his deputy Manish Sisodia wrote to former Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani suggesting Delhi students should be given preference over those from other states in admission to DU.

"We are unable to understand their mind set when they have declared their outfit's intentions to participate in the coming elections for Punjab and other states," the BJP leaders said.

They also asked the AAP to explain what they have done to expand the network of education in Delhi, and urged the party to eschew its "sectarian and regional attitude".