The verbal duel between Delhi's Lieutenant Governor and the Aam Aadmi Party has once again escalated. Upon reaching the polling station to vote, Atishi stated, "We have received official information that LG Sir had called for a meeting with Delhi Police officers yesterday evening. The Delhi Police were instructed to slow down voting in areas where INDIA coalition is strong, to place barricades at a distance, and to repeatedly check the voters. If this happens, it will be a violation of free and fair elections. We expect the Election Commission to take note of this and prevent any such conspiracy."
Meanwhile, in response to the accusations of potential voter harassment in Delhi, the LG retorted to CM Kejriwal. He spoke in a poetic manner, "You have accustomed yourself to this plight, Mr. Kejriwal; resigned to only lamenting your state!" LG assured that actions would be taken on these false allegations.
Following the LG's counterattack, AAP has responded during the voting. A party leader and minister in the Delhi government stated that today's vote would bring clarity and separate the milk from the water.
Atishi countered LG's dismissal of the accusations and promised to act against AAP, asserting that the truth would be revealed today, the day of polling. Early reports suggest that excessive barricading is occurring in certain areas. "If LG Sir has not done this, nor the Delhi Police, we will also find out. However, should it come to light that in areas where the INDIA coalition has a strong foothold, there is slow voting and increased police harassment, then we would urge the Election Commission to take cognizance, for free and fair elections are the foundation of democracy," said Atishi.
AAP leveled these allegations on Friday night.
In a post tagging LG VK Saxena, AAP Minister Atishi expressed concerns of voter distress in Delhi to influence the election. Late Friday night, Atishi claimed in her post, "We have learned that Delhi's LG today has instructed the Delhi Police to slow down the voting in areas with a high number of INDIA block voters, causing difficulties for people trying to vote. Any such attempt by the administration to ensure BJP's victory is illegal, undemocratic, and unconstitutional, and I hope the Election Commission will notice this and put a stop to any such efforts."
Sharing Atishi's post, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the Election Commission to ensure smooth voting in Delhi. He said, "It's shocking. The Election Commission should ensure the smooth conduct of voting in Delhi."
The LG had countered firmly.
In a strong response, LG VK Saxena dismissed Atishi's claims. In his post, he said, "You've made a habit of it, Mr. Kejriwal, to only cry about your condition! I've taken a strong stand on this inappropriate and false statement made by a minister supported by you against a constitutional authority, just before an election. This inappropriateness is unacceptable, and these wanton, fabricated claims are a deliberate scheme to mislead voters and destroy democracy. Strict action will be taken."
