BJP says Kejriwal's 'very difficult for a story to be published in NYT' remark indicates story was 'paid'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his remarks regarding a New York Times feature on the Delhi government's education model.

"It is very difficult to get a news published in the New York Times which is the biggest news paper of the most powerful country of the world," Kejriwal said.

BJP MPs picked apart the remark, saying it was an indication that the story was "paid."

Latching on to this slip of tongue, Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi tweeted "Chor Ki Dadhi Mein Tinka" (guilty conscience needs no accuser).

North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari too cited the story alleging AAP was "wasting" public money on publicity.

"Caught here too. New York Times and Khaleej Times same word to word...same author also. Shameless AAP is wasting money of Delhi public for publishing its photos by paying money," Tiwari tweeted in Hindi.

The NYT runs a syndicate service and its stories are carried by publications in different countries.

The Aam Aadmi Party hit back, saying it was "outrightly funny and stupid that the BJP is claiming the NYT story to be a paid article. Anyone working in the media can look at an article and gauge if it is paid or not."

Sisodia who holds multiple portfolio including education and excise departments is currently battling major allegations after the CBI raided his residence in connection with alleged irregularities in execution of Excise Policy 2021-22.

With inputs from PTI