NEW DELHI:
Criticism mounts against the Election Commission of India (ECI) as it faces accusations of suppressing BJP corruption revelations exposed through electoral bonds, contrasting with the accessibility of information on its own website. The Chief AAP Spokesperson (National), Priyanka Kakkar, contends that their party’s efforts to shed light on BJP’s electoral bond scandal were met with swift removal of their post ‘X’ (erstwhile Twitter) by the Election Commission, leaving no room for AAP to present its case. This move, she asserts, paints a picture of the Election Commission acting as an extended arm of the BJP.
The controversy stems from a post on the Aam Aadmi Party’s official platform, detailing how the BJP siphoned ₹60 crores via electoral bonds, from Sarath Reddy, whom the BJP previously depicted as the ‘kingpin’ of the alleged liquor scandal. The money trail is glaringly evident in BJP’s accounts.In parallel, BJP’s aggressive social media and poster campaigns targeting Shri Arvind Kejriwal with derogatory language further fuel the controversy. Despite over nine complaints lodged with the Election Commission, no concrete actions have been taken to address these grievances.
In a press conference at the party headquarters, AAP’s chief Spokesperson (National), Priyanka Kakkar, stated that it is unfortunate for the country that today the Election Commission of India is functioning as an ‘extended wing’ of the BJP. By aligning with the BJP, the Election Commission has started considering itself above the country’s constitution and laws. The laws of our country provide even terrorists with a chance to be heard. Still, the Election Commission did not deem it necessary, and directly instructed the social media platform ‘X’ to remove our post. The X company also expressed deep regret in writing to us that our post was being removed without giving us a chance to be heard.
During this time, Priyanka Kakkar showed a post by AAP related to electoral bonds in front of the media, which ‘X’ has removed. She asked, “what is wrong with it after all? This post is entirely based on truth. It is written in it that the electoral bond was a complete scam. It is written that Sarath Reddy gave ₹60 crores to the BJP through electoral bonds. He is the same Sarath Reddy, whom the BJP had previously declared as the ‘kingpin’ of the alleged “South liquor lobby”. BJP took ₹60 crore from him first and then made him a government witness. After that, Sarath Reddy gave a statement against CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal. The money trail of these ₹60 crore can be clearly seen in the electoral bond. Even the ED remained silent during Sarath Reddy’s bail time. This is entirely true, and we were asked to remove this truth,” She added.
The AAP Chief Spokesperson (National) mentioned, “We have lodged more than 9 complaints one after another with the Election Commission against the BJP. We have complained several times about BJP’s hoardings and posters, but the Election Commission has not taken any action yet.”
She showed the media three such social media posts of BJP, in which the popularly elected Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, has been portrayed as the mastermind of an alleged liquor scam without any evidence. “We have also complained about this several times, but BJP’s Election Commission is not showing any response to it. Without any evidence, BJP continues to post such things on their social media. Meanwhile, the real evidence of the ₹60 crores money trail is found in BJP’s account through electoral bonds, and they got our post removed. However, all these posts are still present on BJP Delhi’s page. Derogatory language has been used in these posts against Delhi’s CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal, but these people have not yet received any evidence, there is no FIR against Shri Arvind Kejriwal, and no recovery of even a penny, but BJP is declaring him guilty on its ‘X’(erstwhile Twitter) account. The Election Commission turns a blind eye to this.
“Meanwhile, when senior leader and cabinet minister in the Kejriwal government, Ms. Atishi complained that she had been approached under ‘Operation Lotus’, the Election Commission sent her a notice, but no action was taken against those contacting her,” She added.
“What lie is there in our post that we have been asked to remove it? Why haven’t we been given a chance to be heard? If this isn’t dictatorship, then what is it? Shouldn’t the Election Commission be considered impartial? Is this a level playing field for elections, where BJP can write anything on social media and we can’t even write the truth? Spreading lies is a habit of the BJP. Since the BJP came to power India has reached to the number 1 position in terms of spreading misinformation. But the Election Commission doesn’t seem to see this. We urge our Election Commission that if they are truly impartial, they should take immediate action on our complaints,” Priyanka Kakkar concluded.
On these complaints by AAP, the Election Commission has maintained silence
AAP Senior Leader Atishi had complained to the Election Commission about BJP members contacting her under ‘Operation Lotus’, but instead of sending notices to theBJP operatives, Atishi herself received a notice.
On March 29, 2024, complaints were filed regarding unauthorized, and objectionable hoardings and posters with the CEO and RO of New Delhi.
On March 30, 2024, complaints were filed through the C-Vigil app regarding illegal and unauthorized hoardings/posters.
On April 1, 2024, complaints regarding illegal, unauthorized, and objectionable hoardings/posters were lodged with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
On April 4, 2024, Prior complaints filed before this date were discussed with the CEO to inquire about their status.
On April 5, 2024, complaints were filed with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and CEO regarding illegal, unauthorized, and objectionable hoardings/posters.
On April 7, 2024, supplementary complaints were filed reminding the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and CEO about illegal, unauthorized, and objectionable hoardings/posters.
On April 7, 2024, a complaint was lodged against BJP for corrupt election propaganda and objectionable posters (cutouts) in Palika Kendra, Connaught Place. The report was sent to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), CEO, and Returning Officer (RO) in New Delhi.
On April 8, 2024, a request was made to the Chief Election Commissioner and CEO to prevent BJP from putting up objectionable hoardings/posters.
On April 10, 2024, a report was submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commission on these matters.
On April 13, 2023, an immediate report was sent to both the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and CEO regarding unauthorized displays of political advertisements.
On April 14, 2024, a complaint regarding new objectionable hoardings/posters was sent to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and CEO.
