New Delhi, January 8, 2025—An escalated pre-election standoff saw the former chief minister of Delhi and the current leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of instructing its seven MPs in Delhi to make bogus votes in the New Delhi Assembly constituency. The charge comes as electoral processes are coming under fresh scrutiny, with the city on the verge of elections.
Allegations
Kejriwal posted on X, a social media platform, expressing concern. He has stated that the BJP has set targets for its seven MPs to create false votes in the New Delhi Legislative Assembly. In the next days, let the citizens keep a watchful eye on how many new voter applications trickle in.
The CM stated that Atishi addressed a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner to seek a meeting on this issue.
“According to sources, Gaali Galauj Party has instructed its seven MPs to get fake votes made in the New Delhi Assembly in a few days. Just see how many new voter applications come in the next few days. Everyone should keep an eye on this. Atishi ji has sought time to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. We hope to get an appointment soon,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi on X.
These accusations came after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced an updated electoral roll concerning voters in Delhi. The AAP raised fears regarding huge deletions in the New Delhi constituency, declaring the process false.
In a letter dated January 6, 2025, CM Atishi sought the Chief Election Commissioner for extra verification processes regarding voter deletions, noting that such requests for deletions should be verified personally if making up 2% of the voters in a given list.
Response of the BJP
The BJP has called Kejriwal’s accusation baseless and motivated politically. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva called Kejriwal an accused as a branch of diversion from the fear of losing the forthcoming elections. Sachdeva said, “The name itself suggests that this is a lie, that AAP is lying under these elections”.
Consequences for the New Delhi Constituency
The New Delhi assembly constituency is politically significant because Kejriwal won three successive elections in 2013, 2015, and 2020. In this election, he will oppose BJP candidate Parvesh Verma and Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit.
Intense electoral battles have raged in the constituency, and allegations of voter manipulation add a contorted twist to the political dynamics.
Coming of the Commission
The Commission had rejected the previous claims of suspect electoral rolls and had suggested such action to ensure the integrity and briskness of the voting process in elections. However, now since AAP has alleged once again, the Commission would probably need more pressure to probe well into the situation to ensure fair polling, build transparency, and maintain the trust of the people in the democratic process.
As the assembly elections approach in Delhi, the charges of voter fraud and electoral manipulation have set the tone for political discourse. Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations against the BJP above them propel the tempers for the Congress to become electioneering bitterly.
The Election Commission’s stance on these allegations and actions for safeguarding the elections will critically define the entire magnitude of credibility associated with the elections. The development would be observed with a hawk’s eye from both voters and political observers alike to ensure the democratic exercise is fair and transparent.
