Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed a probe into serious allegations made by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
Dikshit, former Member of Parliament and Congress candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, claimed that intelligence personnel from the Punjab government were seen stationed outside his residence. He alleged that these actions were carried out under the directives of Arvind Kejriwal, with the intent to intimidate him and disrupt the democratic process.
Allegations of Intimidation
In his written representation, Dikshit alleged frequent sightings of Punjab government intelligence vehicles parked outside his house. The Congress leader claimed this was an attempt to hinder a free and fair election, as he is directly contesting against Kejriwal in the New Delhi assembly constituency.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office has described the allegations as “grave,” emphasizing the importance of ensuring that candidates are neither intimidated nor discouraged from participating in the democratic process.
“Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has noted that the allegations made out are grave, and with the impending elections to Vidhan Sabha, it is imperative that prospective candidates are not intimidated,” a letter from the Principal Secretary to the LG stated.
Inquiry and Investigation
LG Saxena has ordered a detailed investigation into the allegations and asked officials to submit a report to the Secretariat within three days. The probe is expected to address both the presence of Punjab intelligence personnel and the broader concerns raised by Dikshit.
Criticism of AAP’s Welfare Schemes
Earlier, Dikshit had also raised concerns regarding AAP’s proposed welfare scheme offering a monthly allowance of Rs. 2,100 to women in Delhi. He alleged that the scheme was a “fraud,” accusing Kejriwal of using it to erode public trust and manipulate the electorate.
Dikshit questioned the transparency and fairness of the scheme, expressing doubts about the potential misuse of personal data collected during the registration process.
“How can the people of Delhi trust a government that is misleading them? Residents deserve to know the truth,” Dikshit remarked.
Political Implications
The allegations and counter-accusations come at a crucial time, with assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for early 2025. Both the Congress and AAP are positioning themselves to gain ground in a contest that has often been dominated by AAP in recent years.
The outcome of the probe ordered by LG Saxena could have significant political ramifications, potentially shaping public opinion in the run-up to the elections.