A fresh political controversy has erupted in Delhi over bicycles being distributed to schoolgirls, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleging that the bicycles supplied by the Delhi government are carrying fake “Skyler” stickers even though the company has discontinued manufacturing the specified model.
Bharadwaj has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of serious irregularities in the procurement of around 1.30 lakh bicycles under the government’s scheme for schoolgirls. The allegations have centred on the model mentioned in the tender, the bicycles actually supplied and the price paid for each unit.
What Is the “Fake Skyler” Allegation?
According to Bharadwaj, the government’s work order specified the Hero Skyler 26T bicycle. However, AAP claims that the bicycles actually being distributed to students are Hero Bonfire models with “Skyler” stickers attached to them.
Bharadwaj alleged that the difference is not merely a matter of branding. He said the genuine Skyler model specified in the procurement documents was equipped with features such as gears, suspension and disc brakes, while the bicycles being distributed to students allegedly do not have those features.
The AAP leader described the sticker as evidence of what he called a major procurement irregularity.
Claim That Hero Discontinued the Skyler Model
One of Bharadwaj’s key allegations is that Hero Cycles had already discontinued the Skyler 26T model.
He said AAP representatives contacted Hero Cycles and bicycle wholesalers in Delhi and were informed that the company no longer manufactures the Skyler 26T. Bharadwaj therefore questioned how the Delhi government could have procured large quantities of a model that, according to his claim, was no longer being manufactured.
ThePrint, citing PTI, also reported Bharadwaj’s allegation that Hero had discontinued production of the Skyler 26T and that a cheaper Bonfire model was allegedly being supplied instead.
₹6,957 Bicycle vs ₹4,200 Bicycle
The controversy is also linked to the price paid by the Delhi government.
AAP says the government purchased approximately 1.30 lakh bicycles at ₹6,957 per bicycle. Bharadwaj said AAP representatives purchased what they described as the same type of bicycle from a retailer for around ₹4,200, including tax.
AAP has used this difference to allege that the government paid nearly ₹3,000 more per bicycle than the market price.
The party has consequently questioned whether taxpayers received the model and specifications for which the government paid.
What Features Are in Question?
The dispute is particularly focused on the specifications of the bicycle.
Bharadwaj has claimed that the genuine Skyler bicycle mentioned in the tender was a higher-specification model featuring:
- Seven gears
- Front suspension
- Disc brakes
According to his allegations, the bicycles being distributed to schoolgirls lack these features and instead resemble the cheaper Bonfire model.
AAP says this raises questions about whether the government received the product described in its procurement documents.
AAP Questions the Tender Process
The allegations extend beyond the bicycle itself.
AAP has questioned the selection of Matta Sports as the supplier, with Bharadwaj alleging that the company was not a bicycle manufacturer and did not have the same established manufacturing background as companies such as Hero and Avon.
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha has also questioned how a trader could supply bicycles at a lower price than the manufacturer and raised concerns about the procurement process.
The AAP has demanded that the Delhi government disclose the tender documents, specifications and details of the supply arrangement.
AAP Demands Investigation
Bharadwaj has called for an investigation into the procurement and has questioned why the government has not ordered an inquiry into the allegations.
AAP leaders have indicated that they could approach investigative agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation, if they believe the matter is not properly addressed.
The party has also continued its public campaign over the issue. On August 10, Bharadwaj and other AAP leaders rode bicycles to the Delhi Assembly in protest and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Ashish Sood.
BJP Government Rejects the Allegations
The controversy remains politically disputed. The allegations have been made by AAP, while the BJP-led Delhi government has rejected the broader corruption claims.
PTI reported that the BJP described the allegations as baseless and said the procurement was in order. The competing claims have not, at this stage, been established through an independent investigation or judicial finding.
This distinction is important because the allegation that the bicycles carry “fake” Skyler stickers, as well as the claim that the government received Bonfire bicycles instead of Skyler 26T bicycles, remains a claim made by AAP.
Why the Controversy Matters
The dispute has attracted significant attention because the bicycles are intended for schoolgirls under a government welfare programme. If the allegations are ultimately substantiated, questions could arise over procurement specifications, quality control, supplier selection and the use of public funds.
AAP’s central question is straightforward: If the tender specified a Hero Skyler 26T, why are bicycles allegedly resembling the Bonfire model being distributed with Skyler stickers?
The Delhi government is likely to face continued pressure to provide documentation establishing exactly which model was ordered, which model was supplied and why the procurement price was ₹6,957 per bicycle.
Until the tender records, manufacturer documentation and supply invoices are independently examined, however, the allegations should be treated as political claims rather than established facts.
The Bigger Question
The bicycle controversy has now moved beyond the question of price. The more serious issue raised by Bharadwaj is whether the product supplied to thousands of schoolgirls actually matches the specifications for which the Delhi government contracted and paid.
If an independent inquiry confirms that a different model was supplied under another model’s name, it could raise serious questions about the procurement process. If the government’s documents establish that the supplied bicycles meet the approved specifications, that evidence could counter the allegations.
For now, the “fake Skyler sticker” claim has become the latest flashpoint in the growing political battle between the AAP and BJP over Delhi’s bicycle procurement scheme.
Disclaimer: The claims concerning fake Skyler stickers, discontinued manufacturing, overpayment and procurement irregularities are allegations made by AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and other party leaders. They have not been independently established as facts in the sources reviewed.
