New Delhi: As the Delhi Assembly elections near, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal intensified his attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing them of allowing widespread hooliganism and unfair practices in the national capital. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Kejriwal claimed that his party workers were being attacked in Delhi, with the police seemingly powerless to intervene.
He raised concerns about violence against journalists, revealing that on Sunday, a journalist had been attacked, and others had been fired upon, with the incidents occurring just one kilometer from the Indian Parliament. “Who is the goon that the Delhi Police is afraid of?” Kejriwal questioned. He further accused the police of being complicit in the violence, claiming they were unwilling to act against the perpetrators.
Kejriwal also turned his focus to the Election Commission, accusing the body of being “surrendered” to the BJP. He raised doubts about the integrity of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who is set to retire at the end of the month, suggesting that Kumar might be seeking a post-retirement position like governor or president. “I request Rajiv Kumar with folded hands to do your duty and not destroy the country’s democracy at the end of your career,” Kejriwal said, raising questions about the fairness of the election process.
In a separate attack on the BJP, Kejriwal warned that if the party won the Delhi elections, they would dismantle key welfare initiatives, including free electricity, water, government schools, mohalla clinics, and bus services for women. He claimed that the BJP’s potential actions could cost Delhi residents between ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month. “The people of Delhi will answer this by pressing the vote button,” he added, urging voters to stand with his government’s progress.
The Election Commission responded to Kejriwal’s accusations of harassment, stating that no written complaints had been filed with the police regarding the allegations. In a letter dated Sunday, the ECI assured that all complaints would be thoroughly investigated according to the law and Model Code of Conduct norms. The poll body also confirmed that necessary action had been taken by the police in all cases.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on February 5, with the results to be announced on February 8. As the campaign heats up, political tensions are rising, with both the AAP and BJP aiming to secure control of the 70-member Delhi Assembly.
