New Delhi: Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, the political slugfest between the ruling AAP and the BJP escalated on Wednesday with Chief Minister Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal alleging the saffron part of distributing cash to women in Kejriwal’s constituency.
At a press conference, Atishi alleged that women from slum clusters were given Rs 1,100 each at the residence of former BJP MP Parvesh Verma in Windsor Place, where their voter ID details were recorded.
“I ask the Delhi Police, CBI, ED to conduct raids at the bungalow where crores of rupees are kept,” she said, adding that the AAP will make formal complaints to the police and the election commission and demanded Verma’s arrest.
In a post on X, Kejriwal too alleged that the BJP is giving Rs 1100 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,” he wrote.
ये लोग हर वोटर को 1100 रुपए दे रहे हैं और कह रहे हैं कि उनकी पार्टी को वोट देना। ये आप ज़रूरतमंदों की मदद कर रहे हो या खुलेआम वोट ख़रीद रहे हो? आपके पिताजी को आज शर्म आ रही होगी आप जैसे देशद्रोही बेटे पर।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 25, 2024
Pravesh Verma rejects AAP’s allegations
Former West Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Verma refuted allegations of voter inducement, clarifying that the distribution of Rs 1,100 to women from poor communities was part of a campaign by ‘Rashtriya Swabhiman’, an NGO founded by his late father and former Delhi Chief Minister, Sahib Singh Verma.
Verma, who previously announced he was preparing to contest from the New Delhi Assembly segment at the behest of senior party leaders, stated that the NGO initiated the scheme to provide monthly financial assistance to underprivileged women.
“I have witnessed the struggles of women that Arvind Kejriwal overlooked for 11 years. They were in distress… I decided we would provide them with Rs 1,100 per month. At least I am not distributing liquor like Arvind Kejriwal. I take pride in helping people,” Verma said.
