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The Delhi Congress has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for disseminating a social media poster that labels several prominent Congress leaders as dishonest. The poster, which features images of Rahul Gandhi, AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, and Sandeep Dikshit (the Congress candidate for the New Delhi constituency), has ignited a fresh wave of tension between the two political parties. The Congress alleges that the poster constitutes a malicious and defamatory attack, designed to tarnish the reputation of their leaders during a crucial election period. The party's legal cell chairman, Sunil Kumar, vehemently condemned the poster, stating that the AAP's accusations are baseless and motivated by the party's dwindling prospects in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
The complaint filed with the ECI contends that the AAP's actions directly violate the Model Code of Conduct as well as the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Congress argues that portraying their leaders as dishonest while simultaneously portraying Arvind Kejriwal as an honest leader constitutes a biased and unfair campaign tactic. The party highlighted the recent imprisonment of several AAP leaders as evidence that contradicts the party's claim of honesty. The complaint demands immediate intervention from the ECI, requesting that the offending social media post be removed. The Congress has also indicated that if the ECI fails to address their complaint, they will escalate the matter to the courts.
The recent escalation in tensions between the Congress and AAP follows a period of uneasy alliance in Delhi during the previous Lok Sabha elections, where both parties failed to win a single seat in the national capital. The current Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5th, see the two parties contesting separately. This intensified rivalry has been further fueled by recent public statements. Rahul Gandhi criticized Kejriwal's governance record, drawing a sharp response from Kejriwal who accused Gandhi of prioritizing the Congress's interests over those of the country. The conflict underscores the highly competitive political landscape in Delhi, where even past alliances can quickly dissolve into bitter public disagreements.
The AAP poster, which features prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Delhi BJP leaders, has been criticized by Congress for its inclusion of their leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi. This indicates a significant escalation in the political rhetoric between the two parties. While the inclusion of national-level BJP leaders is consistent with AAP’s broader political strategy, the inclusion of Congress leaders signals a targeted attack intended to directly affect the outcome of the Delhi Assembly elections. The AAP’s strategic choice to incorporate Congress leaders into the poster raises concerns about the overall tone and fairness of the election campaign.
The timing of the complaint is also noteworthy, falling amidst an already tense political climate. With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, both parties are aggressively pursuing their respective campaigns, leaving little room for compromise or political accommodation. The outcome of the ECI's investigation into the Congress' complaint could have significant implications for the electoral process and the ongoing political feud between the Congress and the AAP. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny placed on political parties’ actions during election seasons and underscores the legal framework aimed at ensuring fairness and integrity in the democratic process. The situation will undoubtedly continue to be closely monitored as the election draws closer and the results are announced on February 8th.
Source: Congress files complaint with poll body over AAP's 'dishonest' Rahul Gandhi poster