Aam Aadmi Party chief, Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused opposition parties of orchestrating a “big conspiracy” to disenfranchise slum dwellers and economically weaker sections ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5. In a video message, Kejriwal claimed that he had received multiple reports from residents of servant quarters, dhobi ghats, and slum clusters about individuals offering Rs 3,000 in exchange for misleading voting promises.
Kejriwal alleged that people linked to a rival party were going door-to-door, telling voters that the Election Commission would come to their homes to help them vote, applying indelible ink on their fingers in the process. “Calls are coming from servant quarters, dhobi ghats, everywhere. People from their party are going door-to-door, saying take Rs 3,000 and the Election Commission will come to your house to get your vote cast. You get inked on your finger in return. Hearing this gave me goosebumps. This is a big conspiracy against you people,” he said.
The AAP leader warned voters about the legal consequences of unknowingly participating in such fraudulent activities. “If by mistake you get inked in exchange for money or cast a fake vote on their instructions, they will take action against you, and you could be arrested. People have gone to jail for 8-10 years for such offenses under fraud cases,” Kejriwal cautioned.
Kejriwal urged people not to fall into the “trap” and advised them to take any money offered but to avoid allowing anyone to ink their fingers, warning of lifelong consequences. “If they are giving you free money, take it, but do not let them ink your finger. It will become a lifelong problem,” he said.
Although Kejriwal did not directly name any party, his comments were widely seen as an indirect jibe at the BJP. He added, “If BJP comes to power, your slums will not be saved. They will demolish them and hand over the land to their rich friends. But if you strengthen my hands and the Aam Aadmi Party forms the government, we will not let anyone’s slum be demolished.”
The Delhi Assembly elections will take place on February 5, with the results to be announced on February 8. Kejriwal and the AAP are seeking a third consecutive term in power to maintain their stronghold in the national capital.
(With PTI Inputs)