Sun Dec 15 20:14:11 UTC 2024: ## Delhi’s Ruling Party Accuses BJP of Secretly Settling Rohingya Refugees

**New Delhi, December 16, 2024** – A political clash has erupted in Delhi over the presence of Rohingya refugees, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the BJP-led central government of secretly settling them in the capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, demanding answers about how Rohingya refugees allegedly entered Delhi undetected from Myanmar. She cited a 2022 social media post by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, then the Union Urban Development Minister, which, she claims, indicated the central government’s involvement in settling the refugees.

Ms. Atishi questioned the number of Rohingya refugees relocated, their locations, and why the Delhi government was not consulted. She requested a complete list of settled refugees and demanded that future settlements not occur without the Delhi government’s knowledge and consent. She expressed concerns about potential law and order issues, job displacement, and strain on resources.

Union Minister Puri strongly refuted the accusations, stating that no Rohingya refugee has been given government housing. He countered that AAP is actually responsible for accommodating them, providing amenities, and financial assistance. He accused AAP of selectively ignoring a clarification he issued on the same day as his original post.

The exchange comes ahead of Delhi’s Assembly elections in February, escalating tensions between the two parties. The BJP has accused AAP of using the refugee issue for vote-bank politics, while AAP points to the central government’s alleged actions as evidence of its own claims.

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