Himalaya Harbinger, National Bureau.
In a recent development, the Election Commission has stirred controversy by issuing a show-cause notice to Atishi, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following her assertions regarding an alleged BJP proposition. Atishi, who serves as a Delhi minister, criticized the Election Commission’s actions, questioning its impartiality and suggesting undue influence by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The sequence of events unfolded when Atishi disclosed that the BJP had purportedly approached her to join their ranks, raising questions about the integrity of the poll body. She further alleged that the BJP strategically leaked the Election Commission’s notice to the media before she received it officially.
During a press briefing, Atishi voiced her concerns, stating, “On April 4, the BJP lodged a complaint against one of my press conferences… On April 5, news channels reported that a notice had been sent to me, but I received it only after half an hour. This implies that the BJP orchestrated the release of the Election Commission notice to the media before I was formally notified. My question is whether the Election Commission has become a subsidiary entity of the BJP.”
Atishi also questioned the Election Commission’s selective approach, highlighting its failure to take action against central agencies following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of Congress’ bank accounts before the Lok Sabha elections. She urged the Election Commission to uphold impartiality and resist yielding to pressure from the BJP-led central government.
In response to Atishi’s claims, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice, demanding clarification and factual evidence to substantiate her allegations. The notice emphasized Atishi’s influential position as a minister and AAP leader, underscoring the impact of her statements on the electoral discourse.
“We expect statements made by leaders to be based on factual foundations,” stated the Election Commission in its notice to Atishi.
The notice comes amidst escalating tensions between political parties in the lead-up to crucial elections, further fueling debates surrounding the independence and integrity of electoral institutions.
