New Delhi: A political storm erupted on Thursday as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that a team of Election Commission (EC) officials arrived at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official residence, Kapurthala House, in Delhi for a search operation. The search comes just days before the crucial Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, raising questions about its timing and intent.
AAP Alleges Targeted Action Ahead of Delhi Elections
In an official statement, AAP claimed that the EC officials conducted the search at the residence of CM Bhagwant Mann amid the ongoing election season. This development follows the seizure of a private vehicle, bearing a Punjab government sticker and registration number, which was found near Punjab Bhawan in Delhi. The Delhi Police, upon inspecting the vehicle, reportedly discovered liquor, cash, and election publicity materials related to AAP, leading to the registration of a case.
Atishi and Bhagwant Mann Condemn the Raid
Senior AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi strongly condemned the move, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using law enforcement agencies for political gain. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Atishi criticized the raid, saying:
“Delhi Police has reached to raid Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ji’s house in Delhi. BJP leaders are openly distributing money, shoes, and bedsheets, yet no action is taken against them. Instead, they raid an elected Chief Minister’s residence. The people of Delhi will give them a befitting reply on February 5.”
Echoing Atishi’s sentiments, Bhagwant Mann also took to X, expressing his outrage against the Election Commission and Delhi Police:
“Today, the Election Commission team, accompanied by Delhi Police, came to raid my residence, Kapurthala House, in Delhi. BJP leaders are openly distributing money in Delhi, yet no action is being taken against them. Instead, Delhi Police and the EC are targeting Punjabis at the BJP’s behest. This is highly condemnable.”
Delhi Elections: A Crucial Battle for AAP
The timing of the search has raised concerns within AAP, as the party gears up for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, set for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8. The party, which has been in power for over a decade, is striving for another term, while the BJP and Congress are eyeing an opportunity to reclaim governance in the national capital.
District Election Office’s Clarification
Amidst the political uproar, the District Election Office of New Delhi District issued a statement explaining that the raid was in response to a complaint filed through the EC’s cVIGIL app. The complaint, identified as cVIGIL Complaint ID 1282744, alleged the distribution of cash at Kapurthala House, violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
According to the District Election Office’s post on X:
“This is to clarify that the Flying Squad Team (FST) was dispatched to investigate the complaint as per standard protocol. The team was expected to close the complaint within the stipulated 100-minute timeframe. However, upon reaching Kapurthala House, the security personnel denied the team entry, preventing them from verifying the complaint.”
Political Repercussions and Election Dynamics
This latest development has intensified the already heated political landscape in Delhi. AAP has accused the BJP of orchestrating raids to divert attention from alleged malpractice by its own leaders. On the other hand, the BJP has maintained that law enforcement agencies are merely following due process in addressing election code violations.
As Delhi heads toward the polls, the controversy surrounding the raid is expected to play a significant role in shaping voter sentiment. With AAP, BJP, and Congress locked in a fierce battle, the allegations, counter-allegations, and actions of law enforcement agencies will likely remain in the spotlight in the coming days.
