NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday questioned the cost and quality of bicycles purchased by the Delhi government for distribution to schoolgirls, alleging a significant price difference between the government procurement rate and the retail price of a similar bicycle.
Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj displayed two bicycles at a press conference and claimed that one purchased by the party at retail cost ₹4,200, including taxes, while the Delhi government procured 1.30 lakh bicycles at ₹6,957 each.
Bharadwaj alleged that the difference of ₹2,757 per bicycle warranted an explanation from the Delhi government, particularly as he claimed the bicycle supplied under the government programme used lower-cost components.
According to Bharadwaj, the bicycle purchased by AAP had branded Metro tyres and aluminium brake levers, while the government-supplied model had cheaper tyres and plastic brake levers.
He said the government bicycle was being marketed with a ‘Skyler’ sticker and questioned the authenticity of the branding. Bharadwaj claimed that the Skyler model associated with Hero Cycles had been discontinued and alleged that the trademark was no longer active.
“We want the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to examine both bicycles and explain which one is genuine and why the government paid nearly ₹2,800 more per unit,” Bharadwaj said.
He added that AAP would present both bicycles before Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood, along with the retail purchase receipt, to seek a response from the government.
Bharadwaj also said the party would make the purchase receipt public, including the ₹200 tax component, to support its claim regarding the ₹4,200 retail price.
AAP MLA and Delhi Assembly Chief Whip Sanjeev Jha separately alleged that a Ludhiana-based bidder, SK Bikes, had indicated that it could supply the bicycle for around ₹4,100.
Jha further claimed that he had received an informal communication from a person associated with Hero who said a bicycle similar to the government-procured model could be supplied for around ₹3,200.
Describing the alleged price difference as evidence of possible irregularities, Jha questioned why the Delhi government was not allowing a detailed discussion on the matter in the Assembly.
He alleged that the Opposition had sought a discussion both inside and outside the House but claimed that the demand had not been accepted.
Jha said a debate would allow the government to respond to the allegations and place its procurement details on record.
The AAP leaders have demanded that the Delhi government clarify the tender process, pricing, specifications, branding and supplier details associated with the bicycle procurement.
The allegations come amid a political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP-led Delhi government, with the Opposition seeking greater scrutiny of government spending and procurement decisions.
The claims made by the AAP have not been independently established in the information provided, and the Delhi government’s response to the allegations was not included.