New Delhi:
In a bold move ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has penned a letter to Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), questioning the organization’s stance on the alleged wrongdoings of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kejriwal’s letter, which comes at a critical juncture in the Delhi election campaign, directly challenges the RSS to clarify its position on several contentious issues. The AAP leader has accused BJP leaders of engaging in blatant vote-buying and large-scale deletion of votes belonging to Dalit and Purvanchali communities. He posed pointed questions to Bhagwat, asking if the RSS endorses these actions and whether it believes such practices are detrimental to democracy.
The allegations are part of a larger narrative where both parties are trading accusations. The BJP has countered by accusing the AAP and Kejriwal of facilitating illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants in Delhi, allegedly to use them as a vote bank. This exchange highlights the intense political rivalry and the escalating tensions as the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February, draw near.
Kejriwal’s letter is not just a query but a strategic move to put pressure on the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS. He has emphasized that the BJP’s alleged tactics, such as “Operation Lotus” in his constituency, are undermining the democratic process. According to Kejriwal, the BJP has applied to delete the names of 5,000 voters and add 7,500 new names in his constituency, which he claims is a clear attempt to manipulate the electoral rolls.
The Delhi BJP, however, has refuted these allegations, suggesting that the AAP is trying to add fake voters to the list. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva argued that the significant increase in voter numbers between elections could only be explained by the inclusion of ineligible voters, which the BJP claims the AAP is responsible for.
Kejriwal also warned government officers against succumbing to pressure from the BJP to commit irregularities, reminding them that their actions would have long-term consequences. This warning underscores the AAP’s commitment to transparency and fair electoral practices.
The letter to Bhagwat is not Kejriwal’s first; he had written to the RSS chief in September as well, raising questions about the BJP’s leadership and the alleged misuse of central agencies against political opponents. This ongoing dialogue reflects the deepening political rift and the AAP’s strategy to challenge the BJP on multiple fronts ahead of the crucial Delhi elections.
