Delhi Polls: BJP Alleges 'Misuse' Of Punjab's Official Machinery, Punjab CM Reacts; AAP Slams BJP Over Using Police

With just two weeks left for the much-awaited Delhi Assembly Elections on February, BJP candidate from the New Delhi seat Parvesh Verma, accused his rival and Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal of "misusing" the official machinery of the AAP-ruled Punjab in the constituency.

The Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February 5, with the results to be announced on February 8. The AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term after securing a sweeping victory in 2020, winning 62 of 70 seats.

What all did Kejriwal's opponent say?

Addressing a press conference in national capital, the BJP candidate alleged that 'fearing an imminent defeat from the seat, the former chief minister is getting Chinese CCTV cameras installed in the constituency's slums just for the show with the help of the Punjab government.' He further claimed that the Chinese CCTV cameras, installed in a "hurried manner", pose a security threat.

Slamming the AAP-led government over alleged 'misuse' of power, Verma said, "Punjab government's teachers and employees are being brought to Delhi for election campaigning. These individuals are masquerading as AAP workers."

He claimed that two teachers hailing from Amritsar were arrested by the police here.

"Thousands of vehicles with Punjab registration plates are roaming around in New Delhi. Items like water dispensers, chairs and other materials are being transported to Delhi in trucks belonging to the Punjab government," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader claimed.

He urged the Election Commission (EC) to immediately curb the "misuse" of resources by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government Punjab in the Delhi election.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reacts

Reacting to the allegations, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on X said, "Delhi is the country's capital and vehicles registered in various states ply in the city. He added that vehicles registered in any state can ply anywhere in the country and there is no restriction on it."

Citing Verma's statement, the Punjab chief minister further added, "This is very dangerous, worrisome and insulting for Punjabis. He is identifying vehicles with Punjab registration numbers and questioning why vehicles from Punjab are plying in Delhi."

He added that from Verma's statement, it seems as if Punjabis are a "threat" to the country's security and sought an apology from Shah over it.

CM Mann said Verma has "insulted" Punjabis and demanded an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Amit Shahji, you are neither able to keep the country's border safe nor Delhi. Thousands of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are coming to the country, don't you have a problem with them? But you are calling Punjabis coming from Punjab to Delhi a threat to the country. You should apologise to Punjabis," Mann said.

AAP slams BJP over using police

In a verbal retaliation to BJP's accusations, AAP national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged Wednesday the BJP is using the city police to disrupt his party's poll campaign and intimidate voters ahead of the February 5 assembly elections.

"All the Delhi Police is with the BJP. No one is there for the security and safety of the people. One of the SHOs told me they get direct instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs to disrupt our rallies," Kejriwal told a press conference, also addressed by Chief Minister Atishi and senior party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj.

The people of Delhi will have to stand together and give the BJP a strong reply, Kejriwal said. "I am afraid voters might be stopped from casting their votes this time."

Kejriwal claimed that fearing a "historic defeat" in Delhi, the BJP workers are resorting to hooliganism with the support of police."Police are facilitating the BJP's campaign and supporting their workers who are disrupting AAP's poll efforts," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)