Delhi Elections: Arvind Kejriwal accuses Election Commission of surrendering to BJP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday accused the Election Commission of surrendering to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a press conference, Kejriwal reiterated his earlier allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, claiming that Kumar is "seeking a post-retirement position" and accusing him of "destroying the country" for personal gain.

Kejriwal urged Kumar to fulfill his responsibilities and relinquish his "desire" for a post.

#WATCH | Delhi: AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal says, "...Today the way the Election Commission has surrendered before the Bharatiya Janata Party, it seems as if the Election Commission does not exist. This is raising a very big question. It is absolutely justified for… pic.twitter.com/znJKL3530W

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2025

“Our revolutionaries were hanged so that there would be democracy in the country, elections would be fair. But the way the Election Commission has surrendered before the BJP today, it seems as if the Election Commission does not exist. This raises a very big question. It is absolutely justified for people to question what kind of post has been offered to Rajiv Kumar Ji after his retirement. The post of Governor, the post of President – what kind of post could it be? I request Rajiv Kumar Ji with folded hands. Do your duty, give up the desire for the post, give up the greed for the post. Do not destroy the country and its democracy at the end of your career,” said Kejriwal.

These comments came after the AAP accused BJP of attacking and vandalizing their campaign van, with the assault allegedly taking place in the presence of Delhi police, who the AAP claimed failed to provide adequate protection.

During the press conference, AAP leaders Priyanka Kakkar and Jasmine Shah identified two individuals, Rohit Tyagi and Shanky, as the suspects in the attack and showed a video of the incident.

"BJP goons attacked and vandalized AAP's campaign van at New Delhi Assembly. The two BJP goons, Rohit Tyagi and Shanky, who are seen attacking in the video…" Jasmine Shah said.

Kakkar added that on January 18, the same individuals had thrown stones at Arvind Kejriwal, saying, “If the police had taken action against these goons, they would not have dared to attack AAP's campaign vehicle today. The people of Delhi are watching everything, and they will press the broom button with such force that Amit Shah will get a direct electric shock.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), AAP further claimed that BJP candidate Parvesh Verma's supporters had broken the light on one of their vans in the R K Ashram area.

"While this was happening, Delhi Police was also present, but they did not even bother to stop the BJP goons," the party said.

The Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place in a single phase on February 5, with the vote counting scheduled for February 8. In the 2020 elections, AAP won 62 seats, while BJP secured the remaining eight.