A complaint has been lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Parvesh Verma for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in the New Delhi Assembly area. The Returning Officer sent a letter to the Mandir Marg Police Station in charge to register an FIR against Verma. Based on this, the police have registered an FIR. The complaint pertains to an incident where Verma was observed distributing shoes to voters within the Valmiki Temple premises. Returning Officer O.P. Pandey lodged the complaint on the basis of a WhatsApp message from Advocate Rajneesh Bhaskar, which allegedly included two videos showing Verma distributing shoes to women voters.
BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, contesting against Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, filed his nomination on Wednesday. Before filing his papers, Verma undertook a procession with a large gathering of supporters and submitted his nomination. Prior to submitting his nomination and holding the march, Parvesh Verma visited the temple, taking up a trident and mace, and offered his prayers. Following this, he personally helped women wear shoes. This led to accusations from the Aam Aadmi Party, alleging that Verma was attempting to bribe the voters.
What did the Returning Officer's letter to the Police Station in charge state?
In the letter to the Police Station in charge, the Returning Officer stated, "I wish to inform you that Dr. Rajneesh Bhaskar, Advocate, has lodged a complaint via WhatsApp alleging that Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, prospective BJP candidate, is distributing shoes to voters in the religious premises of Valmiki Temple near Mandir Marg Police Station in the New Delhi Assembly area. The complainant has provided two videos depicting Verma distributing shoes to women. These videos and complaints have already been sent to your official WhatsApp number (8750870522) by the undersigned at 10:36 am."
He further explained, "As per Section 123 (1) (A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, offering any gift, proposal, or promise by the candidate or the candidate's agent, with or without the candidate's consent, constitutes corrupt practices. Therefore, it is instructed that an immediate investigation be conducted and appropriate action be taken for violating the code of conduct."
Kejriwal's Response
Arvind Kejriwal, the former CM of Delhi, responded sharply to Verma's act of helping women with shoes. Kejriwal remarked, 'The BJP aims to buy the trust of Delhi's people. They are insulting the citizens of Delhi. Does BJP believe they can win over Delhi's people by distributing shoes?'
Additionally, the Aam Aadmi Party posted the video of Verma helping women wear shoes on platform X, questioning, "Does the Election Commission not see democracy being undermined? On one hand, BJP candidate Parvesh Verma is openly distributing shoes on New Delhi's streets, getting photos and videos captured. Meanwhile, the District Election Officer claims no such incidents have occurred. If the Election Commission fails to act even after clear evidence of this code violation, what would be the purpose of elections and the democratic process?"
