The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly rebuked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi for accusing the poll body of targeting opposition parties while disregarding violations committed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a sharp response to their accusations, the ECI issued a statement on X, asserting its independence and expressing that it would not be influenced by “such outbursts.” The Commission, composed of three members, noted that there had been continuous efforts to undermine its credibility by suggesting that it was functioning as a one-person body. The ECI, however, emphasized its commitment to constitutional restraint and made it clear that it would not be distracted or swayed by baseless insinuations.
Atishi, the AAP candidate from Kalkaji, had earlier lashed out at both the Election Commission and the Delhi Police, claiming that they were being unfairly harsh toward her while turning a blind eye to violations allegedly committed by BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. She argued that despite her efforts to bring attention to Bidhuri’s actions, no action was taken, and instead, she faced punishment for raising the issue. According to Atishi, the Election Commission’s failure to address these alleged violations demonstrated its bias toward the ruling party, and she condemned the police for siding with the BJP. She claimed that her filing of complaints and calling attention to the violations led to a police case being filed against her instead.
In a similar vein, Kejriwal joined the criticism, accusing the Election Commission and Delhi Police of colluding to protect BJP's “hooliganism” and harassing AAP leaders in the process. He expressed his frustration with the authorities, alleging that any effort to stand against BJP’s actions or expose its wrongdoings would result in punitive action. Kejriwal specifically referred to the police registering cases against AAP leaders and their supporters, accusing them of attempting to silence dissent while allowing BJP members to carry out unlawful activities unchecked.
In response to these accusations, the Delhi Police registered two separate cases on Tuesday. One case was filed against Atishi for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by attending an event in the early hours of Monday night with a large number of vehicles and supporters, in violation of the rules governing election campaigns. The police claimed that when Atishi was asked to disperse, she refused to comply, leading to her being booked under a disobedience charge. The other case involved the arrest of two AAP members, Ashmit and Sagar Mehta, who were accused of obstructing and assaulting a police officer who had been sent to record a video of the crowd. The police officer, Head Constable Kaushal Pal, reportedly went to Baba Fateh Singh Marg after a large gathering had been reported late on Monday night. As he began recording the event, he claimed to have been attacked by the AAP members.
Atishi, however, vehemently denied the accusations and took to social media to defend herself and her supporters. She posted on X, claiming that the police had illegally detained two individuals who were simply reporting and making a video of the alleged violations. In the video she shared, she accused the police of physically assaulting the individual who was filming the crowd. Atishi argued that while action was being taken against the individuals documenting the alleged violations, no measures had been taken against those responsible for breaking the Model Code of Conduct.
The ongoing dispute between the AAP and the Election Commission, along with the allegations against the Delhi Police, highlights the tense and highly charged political atmosphere leading up to the Delhi Assembly elections. The accusations made by AAP leaders against the poll body reflect growing concerns among opposition parties regarding the impartiality of election-related authorities, particularly with regard to the role of the police and the Election Commission in overseeing the conduct of political parties. Meanwhile, the Election Commission, under mounting pressure, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and has dismissed attempts to undermine its authority.
The ongoing accusations and counter-accusations are expected to intensify as the elections approach, with both the AAP and BJP preparing for a hard-fought battle. The allegations against the Delhi Police and the Election Commission may further shape the narrative in the run-up to polling day, as the parties continue to clash over what they perceive as unfair targeting and bias in the election process.
