Delhi Lok Sabha Elections: AAP alleges Lieutenant Governor attempting to interfere in voting, Saxena hits back

Just a day ahead of the Delhi polls, war of words broke out between Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s office and leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday. Both sides accused each other of planning to disrupt the public and interfere with the voting process in Delhi.

Seven Lok Sabha seats are voting on Saturday as the penultimate phase of election kicked off at 7 AM.

“We have received information that the Delhi Lt Governor today ordered the police to slow down voting in areas with a high number of INDIA bloc voters, creating difficulties for people trying to cast their votes. Any such attempt by the administration to ensure a BJP win is illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional. I hope the Election Commission will take notice of this and prevent any such actions,” AAP Minister Atishi posted in Hindi on X.

Replying to this, Kejriwal wrote on X, “This is shocking. EC should ensure smooth voting in Delhi.”

Following these posts, the Lt Governor’s office released a statement shortly before 11 PM, accusing the AAP of planning to disrupt voters on Saturday and then blaming it on the central government.

“Information has been received that on the orders of Arvind Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail till June 1, power and water minister Atishi Marlena has instructed the power companies and Delhi Jal Board to deliberately cut power supply and stop water supply tonight (May 24) and throughout the day tomorrow (May 25) so that the people of Delhi are troubled,” the Lt Governor’s office said.

“The LG has directed that these orders of Kejriwal should not be followed. Information has also been received that Kejriwal is doing this so that he can habitually confuse and cheat the people of Delhi by blaming the Central government,” it added.

The Lt Governor also described Atishi’s statement as unwarranted and false.

“You have made it a habit, Kejriwal sahab, to keep crying irrespective of the situation you may be in. I have taken a stern view of this unwarranted & false statement on the eve of election against a constitutional authority by a Minister, endorsed by you (sic),” Saxena wrote.