The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday strongly rebutted claims by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi that the central poll body is targeting opposition parties while overlooking the BJP’s alleged violations.
ECI Responds to AAP’s Allegations
Stating that it will not be intimidated by “such outbursts,” the ECI took to X and stated, “The 3-member Commission collectively noted repeated deliberate pressure tactics to malign ECI in Delhi Elections, as if it is a single member body & decided to have constitutional restraint, absorbing such outbursts with sagacity, stoically & not to be swayed by such insinuations.”
The 3-member Commission collectively noted repeated deliberate pressure tactics to malign ECI in Delhi Elections,as if it is a single member body & decided to have constitutional restraint, absorbing such outbursts with sagacity, stoically & not to be swayed by such insinuations
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) February 4, 2025
Earlier on Tuesday, AAP’s Kalkaji candidate and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused Delhi Police and the Election Commission of punishing her for speaking out against BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri. She alleged that Bidhuri’s family members were openly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) without facing any consequences.
राजीव भाटी – जो कालकाजी निवासी नहीं हैं- गिरी नगर मानव कल्याण कैम्प में साइलेंस पीरियड में घूम रहे हैं।
मुझे उम्मीद है कि इलेक्शन कमीशन अपनी निष्पक्षता दिखाते हुए इन पर FIR करेगी।@ECISVEEP @Dmsoutheastdelh pic.twitter.com/b8qcd6RL57
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 4, 2025
Slamming Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Delhi Police, Atishi posted on X, “The Election Commission is also amazing! Ramesh Bidhuri ji’s family members are openly violating the code of conduct. No action is being taken against them. I filed a complaint and called the police and @ECISVEEP, and they filed a case against me!”
दिल्ली चुनाव में भाजपा की गुंडागर्दी चरम पर है। चुनाव आयोग और दिल्ली पुलिस इस पर एक्शन लेने के बजाय भाजपा का खुलकर साथ दे रही है।
कल देर रात कालकाजी विधानसभा के गिरी नगर और नेहरू-नवजीवन कैंप में भाजपा प्रत्याशी रमेश बिधूड़ी के भतीजे और समर्थक आचार संहिता का खुला उल्लंघन करते नजर… https://t.co/ezlUAiy6fj
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 4, 2025
Arvind Kejriwal Joins Atishi in Criticizing ECI
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal echoed Atishi’s sentiments, accusing Delhi Police and the ECI of targeting those who speak against BJP’s “hooliganism.” He claimed that instead of addressing complaints, the Election Commission and Delhi Police were siding with the BJP.
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“In response to a complaint about growing hooliganism, the Election Commission has filed a police case against the Chief Minister of Delhi. So now, the official stance of the Delhi Police and the Election Commission is to provide protection to the BJP’s hooliganism, distribute liquor, money, and goods, and suppress AAP,” Kejriwal said.
“If anyone tries to stop them from doing this ‘work,’ a case will be filed against that person for obstructing the ‘work’ of the police and the Election Commission,” he added.
Delhi Police Files Cases Against Atishi and AAP Workers
On Tuesday, Delhi Police registered two cases:
- Against Delhi CM Atishi for allegedly violating the MCC.
- Against AAP workers for allegedly attacking a police officer.
Two AAP members, Ashmit and Sagar Mehta, were arrested for allegedly “obstructing and assaulting” Head Constable Kaushal Pal from Govindpuri Police Station around 1 AM on Tuesday. According to police reports, Pal was video-recording a large gathering on Baba Fateh Singh Marg when he was allegedly attacked by AAP members.
Police further claimed that Atishi violated the MCC by arriving with ten vehicles and around sixty supporters late Monday night. When asked to leave, she allegedly refused, leading to a disobedience case against her under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Atishi Responds, Claims Bias in MCC Enforcement
Atishi responded on X, alleging that Delhi Police “illegally took into custody two people who were reporting MCC violations,” while ignoring the actual violators. She shared a video claiming that police were kicking a person who was filming MCC violations, while no action was taken against those breaking the rules.
Earlier, Atishi had accused Ramesh Bidhuri’s son, Manish Bidhuri, of violating MCC during the ‘silence period’—a 48-hour window before elections where campaigning is prohibited. Following her complaint, Delhi Police booked Manish Bidhuri under Section 126 of The Representation of the People Act for violating MCC.
With election tensions rising in Delhi, the political battle between AAP and the ECI continues to escalate, with both sides making strong allegations against each other.
