Delhi Elections: Kejriwal accuses BJP of offering gold chains to people, BJP responds

As the Delhi Assembly elections draw near, political tensions have reached a fever pitch, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal making serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Kejriwal claimed that the BJP was attempting to buy votes by offering gold chains to potential voters. However, he also accused local BJP leaders of pocketing the chains intended for distribution, rather than handing them out as promised.

गाली गलौज पार्टी वालों के पास बहुत बहुत पैसा हो गया है। अब इन्होंने अपने नेताओं को सोने की चैन बांटने को भेजी हैं। लेकिन इनके नेता बांट नहीं रहे। जो इनके दफ़्तर में जाकर इनसे लड़ता है, उसको चुप करने के लिए उसे दे देते हैं। आपको भी चैन चाहिए तो आप भी इनके दफ़्तर जाकर ले आइए।…

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 14, 2025

In a message to Delhi voters, Kejriwal urged them to take the chains if offered but emphasized that they should not trade their votes for material incentives. He reminded them that the future of their families and the city depended on the upcoming election results.

Speaking on social media platform X, Kejriwal went further, accusing the BJP of lacking any real agenda for Delhi, focusing instead on personal attacks against him.

गाली गलौज पार्टी के लोग दिल्ली की जनता को ख़रीदना चाहते हैं।

वक्त आ गया है इन बेईमानों को ये बताने का कि दिल्ली की जनता बिकाऊ नहीं है। इस देश का लोकतंत्र बिकाऊ नहीं है।

दिल्लीवालों से मेरी खास अपील - pic.twitter.com/HzpQZpgWFp

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 14, 2025

"Now they have sent their leaders gold chains to distribute among voters. But they are not distributing them. Those who make trouble at their offices are the ones getting chains to stay quiet. If you want the chain too, go and get it from their offices," he said.

He continued by encouraging voters to hold onto their political integrity: "But don’t sell your vote. Your vote is precious. Your vote decides your, your children’s, and the country’s future. Don’t vote for those offering money and chains. Vote for anyone except those buying votes."

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused Kejriwal of breaking his promise not to join any political alliance. He also alleged that the voters recognised the AAP leader's “corrupt face” and said they would “say goodbye” to him.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "Delhi has voted for Arvind Kejriwal three times. Arvind Kejriwal had vowed that he would not join hands with any party... But the world saw that AAP joined hands with Congress... Arvind Kejriwal forgot all his promises... Delhi has… pic.twitter.com/m5ccchCXRQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

“Arvind Kejriwal had vowed that he would not join hands with any party. But the world saw that AAP joined hands with Congress... Arvind Kejriwal forgot all his promises... Delhi has recognized Arvind Kejriwal's corrupt face... We will give concrete houses to the slum dwellers of Delhi. We will build good roads in the slum colonies. 5 February is the day to say goodbye to Arvind Kejriwal,” Tiwari said.

As the February 5 election looms, Delhi’s political landscape is bracing for a heated three-way contest, with the ruling AAP, the BJP, and Congress all vying for power. Despite their previous alliance in the national elections, AAP and Congress have taken sharply different stances for the upcoming local contest.

Amidst the ongoing campaign, both the BJP and AAP have traded harsh accusations, including claims that both parties are trying to manipulate voter rolls to sway the election outcome.

For AAP, this election is crucial as they seek to maintain their dominance in the Delhi Assembly, while the BJP is hoping for a turnaround. In the 2020 elections, AAP secured an overwhelming victory with 62 of the 70 seats, leaving the BJP with only eight. The stakes are high for both parties as they look to shape Delhi’s future.