The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a forceful and scathing attack on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the party of supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators by allegedly making fake voter cards for them in preparation for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. These serious accusations have sparked a political firestorm, with the AAP firmly rejecting the claims, and the controversy is likely to have far-reaching implications for both parties in the lead-up to the election.
During a press conference, BJP leader and former Union Minister Smriti Irani leveled accusations against two AAP MLAs, Mohinder Goyal and Jai Bhagwan Upkar, alleging that they were involved in a conspiracy to manufacture fake Aadhar cards for Bangladeshi infiltrators. Irani went on to question why AAP leaders had remained silent on an issue related to national security and why they were not cooperating with law enforcement agencies investigating the matter.
“Why are Aam Aadmi Party leaders silent on such issues related to national security? Who are those infiltrators who want to weaken the democratic structure of our country by making fake voter cards? Why are Aam Aadmi Party MLAs not coordinating with the investigating agencies? Aam Aadmi Party is standing in support of Bangladeshi infiltrators,” Irani said, her words ringing with indignation as she made these serious charges in a bid to implicate the AAP in what she termed a blatant act of undermining national security.
The accusations stem from a police crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Delhi, during which forged documents, including fake Aadhar cards, were uncovered. The Delhi Police investigation had led to the discovery of the involvement of certain individuals, including AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal. The police subsequently issued notices to Goyal and his staff members as part of the ongoing investigation, prompting a wave of political allegations and counterclaims. Goyal, however, rejected the charges and asserted that the claims were unfounded, attributing the investigation to a political conspiracy designed to malign his reputation.
"I have received a notice, all the allegations are false. I will not participate in the interrogation today. I am engaged in election campaigning. I will join the investigation after the elections. We have always cooperated with the Centre. Action should be taken if there are any Bangladeshis in our area. This is all a conspiracy against me, I know where all of this is coming from, I will reveal everything," Goyal was quoted as saying during a conversation with India Today TV. His assertion that the issue is part of a conspiracy against him has added an additional layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the political motivations behind the accusations.
The BJP’s allegations against AAP have taken on greater significance in the context of ongoing efforts by the Delhi Police to identify and deport illegal migrants from the city. In line with directives issued by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the Delhi Police has been carrying out an extensive verification campaign aimed at weeding out illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshi nationals, from the city. The police have arrested over 30 such migrants and deported them, and have dismantled a criminal gang involved in forging Aadhaar cards and other official documents.
The controversy surrounding the fake voter card allegations has become a flashpoint in Delhi's already heated political atmosphere as the city prepares for the Assembly elections. The BJP’s attack on the AAP, accusing them of aiding infiltrators, is clearly aimed at generating public outrage and discrediting the Kejriwal government. The BJP is keen to capitalize on any opportunity to tarnish the reputation of AAP in the eyes of the electorate, particularly by raising issues that touch on national security and the integrity of the electoral process.
The political fallout from these accusations is potentially significant, as it touches on sensitive issues such as illegal immigration, national security, and the credibility of electoral processes. The BJP’s high-profile push to frame AAP leaders for their alleged involvement in this conspiracy serves to further polarize the political discourse, with both parties trading barbs and positioning themselves as the rightful guardians of national interests.
Smriti Irani’s remarks have raised the stakes, especially with the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections, which are expected to be fiercely contested. The BJP is already grappling with challenges in various states, and the Delhi elections are seen as crucial for the party’s long-term strategy. Meanwhile, the AAP is facing significant pressure as it seeks to defend itself against these serious allegations while also managing its campaign for the election.
For Goyal, the legal and political implications of this case remain uncertain. The fact that he has expressed his intention to cooperate with the investigation after the election season suggests that the matter could take on a protracted timeline, with the full ramifications of the allegations potentially not coming to light until after the elections. His decision to delay questioning has further complicated the situation, as it allows the BJP to continue its campaign against him and his party, painting them as reluctant to face scrutiny.
As the Delhi Police continues its investigation, it remains to be seen how the matter will unfold and whether it will have any impact on the public perception of the AAP in the run-up to the election. Given the polarized nature of Delhi's politics, both parties are likely to continue using this issue to rally their respective bases, with national security and immigration policies at the forefront of the debate.
The growing political tension over the issue is set to intensify in the coming weeks, making it a key topic in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections. The stakes are high, with both the BJP and AAP looking to gain the upper hand in what is expected to be a closely contested election. The controversy over fake voter cards and the involvement of political figures has become a new flashpoint, and the outcome of the investigation could have lasting effects on Delhi's political landscape.
