New Delhi: As the election in the national capital is coming close, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh has filed a formal complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Parvesh Verma, alleging him of distributing cash to women in the New Delhi constituency.
“They have only received the complaint. No official assured us of any action…What the ED will do, I can’t say about that…They have given the official receiving of the complaint,” Sanjay Singh told news agency PTI after visiting the ED office.
The controversy erupted after Parvesh Verma allegedly distributed Rs 1,100 to women in the constituency, drawing immediate condemnation from AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who labelled Verma a “traitor” and demanded his arrest. Kejriwal, himself contesting from New Delhi, questioned whether this constituted genuine aid or outright vote-buying, further escalating the tension.
Kejriwal publicly asked Delhi residents if they would want such a leader as their Chief Minister.
“These people are giving Rs 1,100 to every voter and asking them to vote for their party. Are you helping the needy or openly buying votes? Your father must be ashamed of a traitor son like you,” the former CM posted on X.
Responding to the allegations made by AAP leaders, Verma asserted that the Rs 1,100 was financial aid distributed through Rashtriya Swabhiman, an organisation established by his father. He contrasted his money distribution with what he described as the former Delhi CM’s practice of distributing alcohol, framing his own actions as genuine assistance to those in need, particularly women struggling in rural Delhi.
“My father, Dr Sahib Singh Verma, always helped people. I am also helping people. Delhi’s rural areas will never forgive Kejriwal,” he said.
“In the past 11 days, I have seen the agony of women, something Kejriwal did not see in 11 years. They were hassled, I saw their pain. Then I decided that we will give them Rs 1,100 per month. At least I am not distributing liquor as Kejriwal was doing. I’m happy I am helping people.”
Highlighting the past humanitarian work of the Rashtriya Swabhiman Verma asserted that the organisation has been involved in many aid campaigns including relief efforts in Gujarat and Odisha. He also highlighted Rashtriya Swabhiman’s relief drive during the COVID-19 pandemic in West Delhi.
After the complaint filed by Singh, the matter is in the ED’s custody. While Singh confirmed the submission of the complaint, he expressed uncertainty about the ED’s course of action, indicating the uncertain future of the allegations.
