New Delhi [India], January 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday, accusing the Delhi government of granting “permanent voter status” to illegal Bangladeshi nationals who entered India before 2014, allegedly to secure their votes in upcoming elections.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed that AAP had been actively involved with “anti-national forces” and suggested that the party’s leaders had ensured these Bangladeshi nationals received permanent voter status to sway election results in their favor.
Poonawalla questioned why AAP leaders appeared anxious when the votes of suspected illegal voters were being scrutinized. He alleged, “When the votes of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators were being examined by the Election Commission, AAP was tensed because they had granted these individuals voter status and certificates to help secure their votes.”
He further accused AAP of targeting Purvanchal communities, claiming that the party’s actions were part of a broader effort to protect the interests of illegal Bangladeshi voters.
On Saturday, BJP’s Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Bidhuri made similar accusations, stating that parties like Congress, AAP, and Trinamool Congress had been involved in settling Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas in Delhi. “These parties are granting rights to illegal immigrants while ignoring the needs of the poor citizens of India,” he said.
The allegations gained traction after Delhi Police issued a notice to AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal and his office staff in connection with a fake Aadhaar card case. Several Bangladeshis were arrested, and fake Aadhaar cards were recovered as part of the investigation.
In response, BJP officials reiterated their accusation that AAP was colluding with anti-national elements. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi noted that the investigation into fake voting practices had revealed AAP’s involvement, specifically linking the party to fake Aadhaar cards used to register illegal voters. “What is the secret behind Arvind Kejriwal’s consistent support for anti-national forces?” Trivedi asked.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with results to be counted on February 8. The last date for nominations is January 17, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on January 18, with the last date for withdrawal of nominations set for January 20. The upcoming polls are expected to see a three-way contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress.
In the 2020 elections, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats, while BJP increased its tally from three to eight. Congress, which had ruled Delhi for 15 years, failed to win any seats in the last two elections.