New Delhi:
A workforce of Delhi Police and Election Fee officers entered Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann‘s metropolis residence Thursday night to research “a grievance of cash distribution”.
This comes lower than every week earlier than the Delhi Assembly election.
Sources stated the cops and ballot officers – held exterior Kapurthala Home, close to Connaught Place in central Delhi for practically 90 minutes earlier than being allowed inside – had been video-recording their search.
Earlier, visuals from exterior the constructing confirmed uniformed safety personnel, with assault rifles, exterior the principle gate. Shortly afterwards the Returning Officer for the New Delhi constituency, OP Pandey, stated a grievance had been acquired – on its cVIGIL cell app – about cash distribution.
“We’ve to get rid of the grievance inside 100 minutes. Our workforce had come (however) was not allowed to enter. I’ve come to request them to allow us to enter… with a cameraperson,” he stated.
#WATCH | Delhi | A workforce of Delhi Police officers are current exterior Kapurthala Home, the place a workforce of Delhi election officers are current following a grievance about money distribution was acquired on cVIGIL app
Delhi Police says, “On a grievance by RO (Returning Officer) and… pic.twitter.com/kuOxmqHNRN
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2025
Livid AAP Responds
Responding on X, Mr Mann accused the Delhi Police and Election Fee of “defaming Punjabis on the behest of the BJP”. “Immediately, an Election Fee workforce with Delhi Police got here to raid my home… Kapurthala Home in Delhi. BJP individuals are brazenly distributing cash in Delhi, however Delhi Police and Election Fee should not seeing something. No motion is being taken on all this.”
AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal has additionally reacted, telling reporters, “I do not perceive this… it’s BJP leaders who’re distributing money and different objects, however the raid is being carried out on Punjab Chief Minister…”
Chief Minister Atishi additionally, in response to the search over alleged ‘cash-for-votes’, alleged quite a few related violations by the BJP had been ignored by the Election Fee.
दिल्ली पुलिस @BhagwantMann जी के दिल्ली के घर पर रेड करने पहुँच गई है।
भाजपा वाले दिन दहाड़े पैसे, जूते, चद्दर बांट रहे हैं- वो नहीं दिखता। बल्कि एक चुने हुए मुख्यमंत्री के निवास पर रेड करने पहुँच जाते हैं।
वाह री भाजपा! दिल्ली वाले 5 तारीख़ को जवाब देंगे!
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) January 30, 2025
She referred to a letter, despatched to the ballot physique this morning, claiming distribution of cash and liquor, in massive portions, in her constituency, i.e., Kalkaji. She additionally claimed a resident had been “threatened with dire penalties (by) folks carrying weapons… and seen roaming with a Delhi Police constable”.
“BJP folks distribute cash, footwear… in broad daylight. That isn’t seen. As an alternative, they raid the residence of an elected Chief Minister,” she raged on-line after cops turned up at Mr Mann’s house.”
“Wow BJP! Delhi will give its reply on the fifth.”
‘Punjab Authorities’ Automobile?
The precise nature of the grievance shouldn’t be recognized presently, however there are studies that point out it stems from final evening’s seizure of a automobile parked exterior Punjab Bhavan on Copernicus Marg.
Sources informed NDTV round Rs 8 lakh in money, liquor, and AAP pamphlets had been discovered within the automobile, which additionally had a ‘Authorities of Punjab’ sticker on it. The Punjab authorities stated the automobile shouldn’t be theirs.
READ | ‘Punjab Sarkar’ Car With Cash, Liquor Seized, State Responds
It was identified the quantity plate of the seized car matched a Ford Eco Sport utilized by the state, however the car in police custody now could be a Hyundai Creta. Delhi Police have registered a case.
Delhi Election 2025
The nationwide capital’s 70 Meeting seats vote in a single part on February 5.
The outcomes might be declared three days later. The AAP is bidding for a hat-trick of wins after dominant exhibits within the 2015 and 2020 polls, after they swept 67 and 62 seats, respectively.
READ | Poll Panel Raps Kejriwal In “Yamuna Poisoned” Row, He Hits Back
This time, although, a a lot nearer contest is anticipated, with the ruling social gathering and the opposition BJP squabbling over quite a lot of points, together with allegations by the previous that the latter’s authorities in neighbouring Haryana had “poisoned” Yamuna River water it sends to Delhi.
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