New Delhi, 2 February 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has written to the Election Commission of India, alleging intimidation and assault on his party’s workers ahead of the February 5 Delhi assembly election.
He urged the poll body to deploy independent observers in his New Delhi constituency and demanded the arrest of BJP workers allegedly involved in the incidents. He also called for the suspension of police officers linked to these cases.
“I am writing to express my grave concern over the intimidation and harassment of our grassroots volunteers in the New Delhi Assembly Constituency by BJP workers and Delhi Police in the run-up to election day,” Kejriwal stated in his letter.
He alleged that a senior AAP volunteer was unlawfully detained and booked under Section 126 of the BNSS, 2023, at Tilak Marg Police Station. According to Kejriwal, the police falsely claimed the volunteer had prior cases against him.
He further alleged that the individual was physically assaulted by police officers, causing him to faint.
Citing other instances, Kejriwal claimed BJP workers have threatened AAP volunteers and their families.
“They have gone to the extent of threatening to destroy their homes and shops,” he wrote, naming a BJP member, Raju Matiala, as one of those issuing threats in Kali Bari Marg.
On Saturday, AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal was allegedly attacked during a public rally in Rohini while interacting with residents.
In a separate letter to the EC, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also accused BJP workers of assaulting AAP members and obstructing their campaign in Kejriwal’s constituency.
Kejriwal, addressing a press conference later, claimed the BJP was “rattled” as its seats were declining while AAP was on track for a “historic victory” in Delhi.
Kejriwal is contesting the New Delhi assembly seat against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit.
The 70-member Delhi assembly election is set for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.
