The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, asking her to back with facts her statement that the BJP approached her to join the party.
The BJP moved the commission earlier against the Delhi minister’s claim that the party reached out to her through someone close and asked her to join it.
The notice issued by the Election Commission read, “…you are a minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and leader of a national party. The electors tend to believe whatever is being said from public forum by their leaders and in that sense the statements made by them affect the campaign discourse.”
The poll panel said it expects that there must be a “factual foundation” to the statements made by the AAP leader and since the veracity of the statements made has been contested, she must be able to back it with a factual basis.
“Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to furnish your para wise response to the matter…,” the notice added.
Atishi has been asked to respond by Monday noon.
On April 2, Atishi had claimed that the BJP had approached her through a “very close” aide to join the saffron camp or be ready to face the Enforcement Directorate and be arrested within a month.
Delhi BJP had challenged her to back her claims.
‘Is ECI a subsidiary of BJP?’: Atishi
Following the ECI notice, at a press conference, Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Atishi lashed out at the ECI asking if it was a “subsidiary organisation” of the BJP.
Atishi said that news was flashed at 11:15 AM on Friday that she has been issued a notice by the EC whereas she got it through email at 11:45 AM.
“It means the news of EC notice was first planted to the media by the BJP and then the EC gave the notice. I want to ask the Election Commission of the country – have you become a subsidiary organisation of the BJP,” she said.
The senior AAP leader said she will reply to the notice and remind the Election Commission of the neutrality and non-partisanship expected of it in conducting free and fair elections in the country.
Atishi said the present three election commissioners had predecessors like T N Seshan, and added, “You are running an Election Commission that is looked up to by the whole world and praised for. No question is ever raised on the impartiality of elections in a country like India.” “I want to appeal the EC not to bow down before the BJP and its central government. The three election commissioners will be remembered by the country for 100 years for all the wrong reasons if they do not allow level-playing field and free and fair elections,” she said.