NEW DELHI: The blame game between AAP and BJP continued on Wednesday, with both parties accusing each other of indulging in malpractices and violating the model code of conduct.
While AAP alleged BJP distributed cash and kept campaign material on polling tables in Jangpura and Kondli assembly constituencies, the saffron party claimed that fake votes were cast in Seelampur by “burqa-clad” women. While the campaign material was seized, police rejected the allegations of cash distribution and charges of fake voting.
In the morning, senior AAP functionary Manish Sisodia alleged that money was being distributed from a house in Jangpura. He also shared a video of the purported act on X. DCP (South East) Ravi Kumar Singh, however, said a flying surveillance team was called to the spot to verify the allegations, but nothing was found.
“We received a complaint… the FST team also responded to it and the allegation was verified, nothing of this kind was found,” he said.
AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh alleged that a leader of the Valmiki community, Harish, was “arrested” at South Avenue police station. He also claimed that a former chaupal head of the Valmiki community, Uday Gill, was also kept at the police station without any reason. “Nobody is ready to tell us the reason for the same…. I have spoken with the election observer, DCP and SHO. But Uday Gill has not been released yet,” he added.
Police, however, claimed Harish was detained on a complaint of “distributing freebies and transporting voters to polling booths”. “Further inquiry is going on,” it said, adding, “Uday is detained as he, along with his accomplice, was physically forcing people to come to the table of a particular political party”.
Seelampur constituency also witnessed high-voltage drama when a BJP functionary alleged people wearing “burqas” were attempting fraudulent voting. Chaos erupted at Angelic Convent School in Maujpur after a voter, Poonam, claimed someone cast a vote in her name. The situation quickly escalated, with BJP workers involving the police.
“It is happening at several other schools. People have been brought in from UP’s Loni to vote in large numbers without proper photo verification. There are women in burqas whose identities aren’t being checked,” a BJP worker alleged.
Police denied the charges, pointing to security deployed in the area. Additional police and paramilitary forces were also deployed, it said.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP candidate from Greater Kailash, claimed police barricaded Chirag Dilli area, preventing people from voting. He shared a video on X showing a woman sitting alone in an auto- near a barricade, alleging the obstruction was placed to prevent access to the polling station. DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan said only the elderly and those who can’t walk were allowed to go to booths in vehicles while others were stopped 200 metres before the polling station.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that AAP had stooped to “fake voting” as it was rattled by its “imminent defeat”. He urged people to be wary of AAP’s “manipulations”.
The New Delhi district election office said in a post on X that some alleged instances of relievers of polling agents not being allowed inside polling booths were reported by political parties. “On-ground verification revealed that polling agents inside were unwilling to come out. Sector officers and presiding officers were sensitised to ensure the smooth relieving of polling agents,” it said.
Accusing Sisodia of resorting to “hooliganism”, BJP’s New Delhi candidate Parvesh Verma shared a video on X purportedly showing the AAP functionary angrily demanding action against BJP workers. “Scared of defeat, AAP leaders are now showing pettiness,” he posted.
In Kasturba Nagar, police said they received information that two men allegedly attempted fake voting at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Andrews Ganj area. They were caught by Delhi Police and were being interrogated, according to sources.
At a polling station near ITO, AAP’s polling agents alleged the mock poll took place in their absence. However, cops claimed the agent reached late and, therefore, turned it into an issue.
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