A BJP delegation on Wednesday met the Chief Election Commissioner to highlight what it alleged were “continuous” violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The delegation comprised South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri, Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta and BJP leaders Subhash Arya, Subhash Sachdeva and Rajiv Babbar. The delegation submitted a memorandum against what the party termed was a “misinformation campaign” still being undertaken by AAP through its “hired, funded and managed call centres”.
“We also submitted a memorandum against efforts of the party [AAP] to disturb communal harmony, peace and goodwill by playing the religion card...more than a dozen complaints and three CDs as evidence against call centres were submitted in addition to a copy of an FIR against AAP for hurting religious sentiments,” the party said in a statement.
The BJP, according to the statement, demanded “strong deterrent action” against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and other party leaders.
Police action
“The Election Commission patiently heard the BJP delegation and assured necessary action. The commission has not prevented Delhi Police from taking action against the defaulting call centres,” Mr. Gupta said.
“The police is free to take necessary action as per rules...the BJP will shortly call upon the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure that action against call centres spreading misinformation is taken to its logical conclusion,” Mr. Gupta said further. The BJP alleged that AAP was “creating a rift among different communities” by having used a picture of a cow and a calf at the door of a house to hurt religious sentiments.
The party, according to the statement, submitted to the Election Commission that Mr. Kejriwal, “sensing his failure” in the upcoming elections had not only hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus, but also “intended to create mutual hatred, differences and cause tension between different religions.”
“Keeping in mind the recent incidents [involving cow slaughter], this act of Mr. Kejriwal and other known person has the potentiality to disturb the peace and tranquillity, public order, harmony and create law and order situation.”
