Aam Aadmi Party MLAs engaged in a protest on 11th August 2026 at the Delhi Assembly, bringing rice bags to highlight their allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party. This demonstration occurred on the third day of the Monsoon Session, with the party claiming that the BJP government misappropriated subsidised rice intended for the economically disadvantaged population of Delhi.

During the protest, Saurabh Bharadwaj, President of AAP’s Delhi unit, accused the government of “black-marketing” rice that was supposed to be allocated to the city’s underprivileged residents. He stated that the urgency of the situation warranted immediate accountability from officials involved, especially targeting Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manjinder Sirsa.

Bharadwaj took to the platform on the social media site X, articulating serious allegations against Manjinder Sirsa’s department. He claimed that they recommended the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to provide subsidised rice to a corporation based in Assam, which allegedly was then sold off rather than reaching Delhi’s needy population.

Details of the Allegations

According to Bharadwaj, an agreement was reached between the Rekha Gupta government and a corporation based in Assam, aimed at distributing approximately 31,000 metric tonnes of rice per week for the benefit of impoverished residents in the national capital. However, he asserted that the rice never fulfilled its intended purpose and instead fell into the hands of a private enterprise in Haryana.

Furthermore, Bharadwaj claimed that significant financial gains, amounting to “crores of rupees,” were reportedly earned as illegal commissions through these transactions. The implications of these allegations suggest a severe breach of trust regarding subsidised goods meant for vulnerable citizens.

On the preceding Sunday, Minister Sirsa had responded to the escalating situation by threatening defamation suits against Bharadwaj and other AAP members. He provided a deadline of 24 hours for them to retract their statements and issue a public apology, failing which he stated he would initiate legal proceedings.

Protest Slogans and Sit-In

On the day of the protest, AAP MLAs occupied the floor directly in front of the office of Leader of Opposition Atishi, strategically placing substantial bags of rice in their midst. The group vocally expressed their discontent with slogans including “Gareeb ka chawal kahan gaya?” which translates to “Where is the poor’s rice?” This chant encapsulates their demands for transparency and accountability.

The core of the protest revolved around AAP’s assertion that the distribution of subsidised rice meant for poor and migrant families in Delhi had been inappropriately redirected to a private entity in Haryana. Concurrently, Minister Sirsa had already issued a warning to the leaders of the AAP regarding potential legal action stemming from their accusations.

The escalating tension within the Assembly highlights a deeper conflict over food security and the ethical management of resources intended for those in most need. The outcome of these allegations and the protests could have significant ramifications for the parties involved, particularly in public perception and future political interactions.

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