On the eve of the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “hooliganism” and attempting to intimidate voters to skew the electoral process. In a meeting with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, Kejriwal alleged that BJP workers were planning to mark voters’ fingers with black ink to prevent them from voting.
“We informed the Election Commission about multiple incidents where the BJP is using Delhi Police to unleash hooliganism. There is serious concern that BJP goons may intimidate voters, stop them from stepping out to vote, or mark their fingers with black ink to prevent them from voting,” Kejriwal said to the media after the meeting, as quoted by news agency PTI. He added that the Election Commission had assured action against any violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to ensure a free and fair election. Kejriwal thanked the ECI for meeting with them despite the silence period, a time when campaigning should cease.
According to Delhi Police, a PCR (Police Control Room) call was received at PS Gandhi Nagar regarding the inking of a voter’s finger. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the person claiming his finger had been inked was 40-year-old Firoz Khan, a history-sheeter with 15 criminal cases against him. Police found him in an inebriated condition, and it was discovered that his fingers were not inked, news agency ANI reported. Khan later admitted to fabricating the story to gain media attention during the election period. The Returning Officer (RO) and the Flying Squad Team (FST) have been informed, and further investigation is underway, the Delhi Police said, as per ANI.
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Delhi Election 2025: BJP Accuses AAP Of Conspiring To Prevent BJP Supporters From Voting
Meanwhile, in a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva countered the allegations, accusing the AAP of conspiring to prevent BJP supporters from voting. Sachdeva claimed that AAP leaders had submitted lists of thousands of Purvanchali, Vaishya, and Brahmin voters to election officials in around 50 constituencies, alleging these voters were either deceased or did not reside at the listed addresses. He demanded that the ECI disregard any such lists and allow all registered voters to cast their votes, PTI reported.
Atishi, who is contesting from Kalkaji constituency, also joined in the accusations, claiming that the BJP was using hooliganism to undermine the electoral process. She further alleged that both the Election Commission and Delhi Police were protecting BJP workers while targeting AAP members. Atishi accused her BJP rival Ramesh Bidhuri and his family members of engaging in violence in her constituency. In response, Bidhuri dismissed Atishi’s claims, suggesting she was panicking over her impending defeat and urged her not to demean her constitutional position by making such allegations.
Atishi’s statements came hours after Delhi Police registered an FIR against her for allegedly violating the MCC and obstructing a public servant. Police said that Atishi, along with 50-70 supporters and 10 vehicles, blocked Fateh Singh Marg. When instructed to vacate the area, she allegedly obstructed a police officer.
Atishi responded on social media, accusing the Election Commission of bias. “BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri and his family members are openly engaging in hooliganism, yet no action is taken against them. Instead, a case has been filed against me,” she wrote. Earlier, Kejriwal also posted on X in Hindi, stating that the ECI had filed a case against Atishi after she complained about BJP’s “open hooliganism”.
Delhi goes to the polls on February 5, with results scheduled to be announced on February 8.
