New Delhi [India], January 13: In a pointed attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday raised concerns over the delay in the inclusion of the Jat community in the Central OBC list, as well as irregularities regarding voter registrations in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal questioned the ruling party’s commitment to its promises and alleged attempts to undermine the integrity of the upcoming Delhi elections.
“The BJP can say whatever they want about me, but I ask the Prime Minister: when will the Jat community, which is already listed in Delhi’s OBC list, be included in the Central OBC list, as promised in 2015?” Kejriwal remarked, calling out the BJP for its failure to fulfill this pledge.
Earlier, on January 9, Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging that the Jat community be included in the OBC list of the Centre. He accused the BJP-led government of misleading the community in the name of OBC reservation for the past decade.
Kejriwal also addressed concerns raised by Awadh Ojha, the AAP candidate from Patparganj, regarding the transfer of his vote. He stated that Ojha, who had registered his vote in Greater Noida, faced hurdles in transferring it to Delhi. Kejriwal pointed out that Ojha had submitted Form 6 on December 26, 2024, and subsequently Form 8 on January 7, but did not receive any response. According to the Election Commission’s manual, both forms can be filled out before the nomination deadline. However, Kejriwal alleged that the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer had initially stated January 7 as the last date for voter transfer, only to later issue a contradictory order setting January 6 as the deadline.
“This second order goes against Election Commission rules. Was this order issued with the intent to disbar Ojha?” Kejriwal questioned.
Additionally, Kejriwal raised concerns about the sudden surge in new voter registrations in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, particularly from the residences of BJP MPs and leaders. He termed this “mysterious” and cast doubt on the fairness of the electoral process, warning that such actions would not be tolerated by the people of Delhi.
“If such fraudulent activities continue, it will undermine the sanctity of the election,” Kejriwal asserted, while expressing confidence that the people of Delhi would not allow the BJP to manipulate the process.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on February 5, with the counting of votes set for February 8.