Amid ongoing controversy over the “summoning” of the New Delhi District Election Officer (DEO), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh defended the government’s actions, asserting that the officer is accountable to them and responsible for ensuring fairness in election processes.
Key Quotes
Sanjay Singh stated:
“He (DEO) is not a VIP. He has an answerability towards us. Their job is to look after the election process. Will we not meet him? Is he such a VIP that we cannot meet him? If we talk about protocol, then a DM’s protocol is much lower than a Member of Parliament yet we went to his office. He should feel respected. Is he not ashamed to make such statements?”
He further added:
“How are we threatening him? Is asking for information regarding voters and ghost objectors considered threatening? The officers should be a little humble. It is strange that the officer who is supposed to oversee the election processes considers meeting as threatening.”
Background
The controversy arose after the New Delhi District Administration sought police protection for the DEO, citing concerns over disruptions to the electoral process. Additional District Magistrate Nishant Bodh highlighted the frequent presence of political party representatives at the election office, raising fears of potential breaches of peace and undue pressure on election officials.
Reactions
- Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC condemned AAP leaders for allegedly “threatening” the DEO, accusing them of conspiring to question and summon election officers. She called for action against Delhi CM Atishi, AAP leaders Raghav Chaddha, Sanjay Singh, and Arvind Kejriwal.
- Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva echoed these concerns, saying:”We have been saying this for the last 3 months that Arvind Kejriwal and his team have been trying to influence the elections. Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh threatened the elections officers on public holidays. This shows they have completely lost their ground.”