Delhi election | 'Deliberate pressure tactics': EC hits back at AAP
Top AAP leaders, including its convener Arvind Kejriwal, have claimed that the EC has been ignoring the BJP's alleged violations of poll code
The Election Commission on Tuesday (February 4) came out against what it said were “repeated deliberate pressure tactics” against it ahead of polling in the Delhi Assembly elections.
The poll panel’s reaction came even as the police filed a first information report against Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi (AAP) candidate Atishi on charges of obstructing public servants on duty.
The Election Commission said in a statement on X that an impression was sought to be created that it was a one-man body.
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EC keeps calm
The panel said it had decided to observe constitutional restraint and absorb outbursts against it with sagacity and not to be swayed by insinuations.
AAP leaders, including former chief minister Arvind Karjiwal, have repeatedly accused the Election Commission of ignoring the Bharatiya Janata Party's alleged violations of poll code.
Kejriwal targets CEC
Kejriwal had alleged that Kumar was not taking action against the BJP to bag a post-retirement assignment. Kumar demits office on February 18 at age 65.
Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are the other election commissioners.
"The three-member Commission collectively noted repeated deliberate pressure tactics to malign (the) ECI in Delhi elections as if it is a single member body," it said.
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FIR against Atishi
The elections to pick a new Delhi Assembly are due to February 5. The votes will be counted on February 8.
Meanwhile, the police have filed a complaint against chief minister Atishi, who is seeking re-election from Kalkaji.
The police accused her and AAP supporters of collecting in the constituency and refusing to disperse even after being pointed out that they were violating the model code of conduct.
AAP’s charge against EC
Atishi in turn told the media that the police had acted against her instead of taking action against her BJP rival Ramesh Bidhuri who she said had brazenly violated the model code of conduct enforced during elections.
The charge was echoed by former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Durgesh Pathak who accused the poll panel and Delhi Police of colluding with the BJP.
(With agency inputs)