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The recent Lok Sabha elections in India have been marked by a series of legal challenges and allegations of electoral misconduct. In a significant development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Bansuri Swaraj from the New Delhi constituency. Bharti claims that Swaraj engaged in corrupt practices during the polls, ultimately securing an unfair victory.
Bharti's petition details a range of alleged irregularities. He claims that BJP workers distributed money, sarees, and suits to voters on Swaraj's behalf, attempting to influence their voting decisions. Additionally, he alleges that Swaraj's booth agents displayed pamphlets featuring her ballot number, photo, and election symbol alongside a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These pamphlets were allegedly shown to voters waiting in line at the booths, encouraging them to vote for Swaraj.
Bharti also argues that the participation of Raaj Kumar Anand, a former AAP minister who contested as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, was orchestrated by Swaraj's party. Bharti claims that Anand was pressured by investigating agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax (IT) to resign from his ministerial position and subsequently contest the election as a spoiler candidate, ultimately helping Swaraj win. Anand's resignation and subsequent participation in the election, according to Bharti, were a calculated move by Swaraj's party to undermine his own candidacy and ensure her victory.
Swaraj has rejected Bharti's accusations, stating that the petition is weak and will not hold up in court. She further suggests that Bharti's action is merely an attempt to regain political relevance. The Delhi High Court is currently reviewing the petition, and the outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the political landscape in India.
The allegations of corrupt practices during the recent elections raise serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. This case underscores the need for robust mechanisms to ensure fair and transparent elections, ensuring that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the outcome.
Source: Bharti alleges BJP MP indulged in ‘corruption’ in LS polls, moves Delhi HC