Bicycle procurement row deepens as AAP seeks transparency

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday intensified its attack on the BJP-led Delhi government over the procurement of nearly 1.30 lakh bicycles for students in government schools, alleging irregularities and demanding complete transparency in the purchase process.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the reported expenditure of ₹6,957 per bicycle and urged the government to disclose the make, model, tender specifications and procurement details. He said the issue was raised a day earlier, but neither Chief Minister Rekha Gupta nor Education Minister Ashish Sood had responded.

Bharadwaj said that if the government believes officials committed any irregularity without the ministers’ knowledge, it should immediately order an impartial inquiry. The absence of both an official clarification and an investigation, he argued, raises questions over the government’s intent and could eventually result in officials

being made scapegoats.

Referring to a BJP spokesperson’s reported claim that bicycles are available in the market for prices ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹50,000-55,000, Bharadwaj said the government should simply reveal the exact make and model of the bicycles purchased. He maintained that once the details are public, citizens can independently verify their specifications

and market price.

He also questioned the pricing from a procurement standpoint, arguing that government departments usually secure lower rates through bulk purchases. Procuring 1.30 lakh bicycles, he said, should have resulted in substantial savings rather than a higher per-unit cost. If a similar bicycle is available in the retail market for around ₹5,000, the government must explain the higher price

paid, he added.

Bharadwaj said AAP was prepared to approach agencies such as the CBI, Anti-Corruption Branch, ED and Delhi Police if necessary, while reiterating that the government should proactively disclose all procurement-related documents to remove doubts and ensure public accountability.