New Delhi, February 4: On the eve of Delhi's assembly elections, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has on Tuesday met with the Election Commission (EC) and accused the BJP and police of fostering an atmosphere of fear aimed at intimidating voters.
In a media statement following the meeting, Kejriwal alleged that BJP "goons" may mark voters’ fingers with black ink to prevent them from casting their ballots.
The BJP quickly hit back, accusing AAP of orchestrating a plot to suppress voter turnout by targeting specific communities. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva claimed that AAP had submitted lists of thousands of Purvanchali, Vaishya, and Brahmin voters to the EC, alleging these voters were either unregistered or deceased. He urged the EC to ignore these lists and ensure all eligible voters were allowed to vote.
Kejriwal raised concerns about attempts to hinder voting, particularly in slum areas. He alleged that the BJP was using the Delhi Police to intimidate voters, block their participation in the polls, and engage in disruptive tactics. "We’ve informed the EC about multiple incidents where the BJP is using the police for hooliganism," he said, adding that the BJP's efforts could discourage people from voting.
In response, the EC assured Kejriwal that strict measures would be taken against any violations of the Model Code of Conduct to ensure a fair and free election. Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the EC for meeting with them, despite the silence period before the elections.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of "hooliganism" and alleged that both the EC and Delhi Police were favoring BJP workers while targeting AAP. Atishi, who is contesting from Kalkaji, also alleged that BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and his family were engaging in "hooliganism" in her constituency. Bidhuri, however, dismissed Atishi’s claims, suggesting she was "panicking" due to an impending loss, and advised her not to undermine the dignity of her office.
Atishi's comments came hours after Delhi Police registered an FIR against her for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. Police claimed that Atishi, along with a group of 50-70 supporters and vehicles, blocked Fateh Singh Marg, obstructing a police officer from carrying out their duties. Atishi responded by accusing the EC of bias, highlighting the lack of action against BJP's alleged misconduct while she was being targeted. She took to social media to protest, writing, "BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and his family are openly engaging in hooliganism, yet no action is taken against them."
The Delhi elections are set to take place on February 5, with the results to be announced on February 8.
