With the Delhi Assembly elections approaching, the atmosphere is charged with allegations between AAP and BJP alike, with both sides making damning accusations against one another.
AAP’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, has raised charges against the BJP for tampering with the vote roll in his New Delhi constituency. Among the various allegations he made, he said that since mid-December, the BJP has filed over 5,000 applications to delete legitimate voters from the list, describing this alleged exercise as “Operation Lotus.”
Kejriwal’s Statements
Kejriwal said to the media, “The BJP is trying to disenfranchise genuine voters in my constituency by mass filing deletion applications. It is a direct attack on people’s democratic rights.”
He said that the BJP’s actions were a desperate measure to weaken AAP’s hold over the sawmill area.
BJP’s Counter-Allegations
The BJP responded in kind with more countercharges made against AAP. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva alleged that AAP was busy enrolling “illegal voters” in constituencies, fearing a clean defeat in the coming elections.
Sachdeva alleged that applications for new voter registration are still coming in after the electoral roll updates were frozen on December 23, with new applicants mainly from 30, suggesting an oddity in the process’s authenticity.
Specific Incidents Highlighted
Sachdeva questioned several cases, such as that of Narela constituency, where, a day after the freeze, over 2,000 new voter applications had been filed on December 24, with the sudden influx of applicants from an older age group hinting to possible manipulation by AAP.
A defamation suit against Kejriwal and AAP leader Atishi Marlena was filed by BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor due to poaching allegations against them, leading to a further potentiated political rivalry.
Role of Election Commission
The elections commission has received petitions from both parties. The Aam Aadmi Party has called for an investigation into mass deletion applications, insisting that no valid voter be excluded from exercising their right. The Bharatiya Janata Party, on the other hand, has alleged that AAP registered illegal voters and has requested an inquiry into the matter so that the election rolls might be kept free of taint.
Impact on Voters
The allegations have created confusion and anxiety within the electorate. Voters are unsure about their registration status and will learn today if they have been unfairly removed from the rolls.
Social groups have called for transparency in this matter, urging citizens to check their voter registrations quickly.
Political Climate
Mutual accusations between AAP and BJP have heated up the political atmosphere in the capital as both parties step up their campaigns: the AAP stresses its record in government, while the JP plays to issues of national relevance.
Concerns over voter list manipulation added a new dimension to the electoral campaign, which may affect voter sentiment and turnout.
As the day of the elections beckons, ensuring the elections’ purity is paramount.
Handling these allegations by the Election Commission will be the key to ensuring free and fair elections. Voters are advised to remain alert, verify their registration status, and be informed about any improper listing by the said commission to protect their fundamental rights in the democracy.
