New Delhi [India], January 16 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticized the Election Commission (EC) for its lack of action on the ‘cash-for-votes’ allegations against BJP leader Parvesh Verma. Kejriwal questioned why, despite widespread reports of money and goods being distributed, the EC claimed it had not found any evidence or witnesses.
Referring to a media report, Kejriwal took to his official X handle and posted, “The whole world is saying that money and goods are being distributed openly, but the Election Commission is saying they are not getting any evidence or witnesses.”
Kejriwal’s comments come amid a heated contest in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where he is up against BJP’s Parvesh Verma, the son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
On January 14, Parvesh Verma strongly denied the “cash-for-votes” accusations leveled by AAP, and instead, accused the Delhi government of protecting illegal immigrants and Rohingyas. He stated that he had personally checked voter cards to ensure that benefits were only being provided to legitimate residents of his constituency.
In response to the allegations, AAP had claimed that BJP was distributing money in exchange for votes while checking voter cards in New Delhi. AAP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Atishi had specifically accused Verma of distributing money to people.
In an interview with ANI, Verma rejected the cash-for-votes charges, asserting, “We are taught that charity begins at home. I am fighting from New Delhi and distributing benefits to the women of my constituency. If Atishiji is so concerned, she should do the same in her constituency. If our government comes to power, we will offer similar benefits to women in Delhi like in Madhya Pradesh.”
Verma further defended his actions, saying, “I am not asking for votes in exchange for money. I simply checked the voter cards to ensure the benefits go to legitimate Delhi residents, not illegal immigrants.”
The Election Commission had earlier instructed Delhi’s chief electoral officer to investigate AAP’s complaints against Verma. Both AAP and BJP have made allegations regarding discrepancies in the electoral rolls.
The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting set to take place on February 8. The last date for filing nominations is January 17, with scrutiny scheduled for January 18 and withdrawal of candidatures by January 20.
In the 2020 Delhi elections, AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats, while BJP secured eight.