AAP alleges poll malpractices by BJP
Hours before Delhi heads to the polls, the AAP has accused the BJP of engaging in voter malpractices in the Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency. The party shared a video where two men are seen complaining to the police, claiming they were victims of a fraudulent voting scheme in exchange for money.
According to the AAP, the complainants detailed a scheme where individuals were offering Rs 500 in return for participating in fake voting by marking voters’ fingers with ink before polling day, thus making them ineligible to vote on election day.
Around 200 people from their slum area were subjected to this fraud. However, while the police reportedly took action against those whose fingers were inked, no steps were taken against those responsible for applying the ink, according to the AAP statement.
Arvind Kejriwal reacted to the video on X, saying, “We had already warned that they would resort to such tactics. Today, we filed a complaint with the Election Commission, and they assured us that such incidents will not be allowed. I hope the Election Commission takes strict action to prevent this.”
He further wrote that sources from within the opposing party (BJP) revealed that they have purchased several kilos of ink to execute this across Delhi and that crores of rupees will be distributed through the police tonight.
“These tactics are only used when you are facing a massive defeat,” he added.
In another post he appealed to the people of Delhi to send the video to every phone in Delhi and “show people how dishonest these people are and how they want to destroy Indian democracy”.
Manish Sisodia also wrote on X that people are being marked on their fingers a day before the elections so that they are not able to cast their vote tomorrow.
MP Sanjay Singh shared the video on X and stated “The game has begun in Gandhi Nagar – ‘Votes are being cast without even voting.’ BJP’s goons have inked people’s fingers. Is the Election Commission blind to this?”
Chief Minister Atishi also raised concerns over the video: “We hope that ECI will take action on this on a war footing in Delhi and will not let the democratic rights of the people be snatched away.”
As per the police, during the investigation, it was revealed that the person claiming that his finger was inked has been identified as Firoz Khan. He is a history-sheeter with 15 cases registered against him in the past.
He was found in an inebriated state and his finger was also not inked. He revealed that he was telling a concocted story to gain media attention, the police said.