AAP alleges its campaign van vandalised by BJP 'goons', party hits back

New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating an attack on one of its campaign vehicles in the New Delhi constituency, where Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting the upcoming assembly elections on February 5.

AAP leader Jasmine Shah alleged that BJP "goons" vandalized the party's publicity van near Lady Hardinge Medical College in full view of police personnel. Shah presented a video at a press conference, claiming that two of the attackers were previously involved in stone-pelting at Kejriwal’s vehicle. "Their photos with BJP leader Parvesh Verma and other party members are available," he asserted.

The BJP swiftly dismissed the allegations, calling them a desperate attempt by AAP to gain sympathy. "AAP is indulging in drama because they know they are losing the elections," said Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor. He further suggested that Kejriwal, sensing defeat, might stage a fake attack on himself on the last day of campaigning.

Election Commission, Police React to Allegations​

Kejriwal and AAP leaders criticized the Election Commission (EC) for its alleged inaction. The Delhi CM took to X (formerly Twitter) to mock the EC, stating in Hindi:

"The Ramayana says Kumbhakarna slept for six months and then woke up for six. The Election Commission perhaps seems never awake."

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AAP MP Sanjay Singh also shared a video of the incident, showing individuals tearing off the publicity van’s wrappings and attempting to smash its windshield. "The Election Commission's office is in New Delhi, yet it is blind and deaf to such attacks," Singh remarked.

However, New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Devesh Mahla refuted AAP’s claims, stating that no official complaint or police control room call had been received regarding the incident. "AAP is requested to lodge a formal complaint at the police station, and we assure strict legal action," Mahla posted on his official X handle.

Kejriwal Demands Special Election Observers​

Amid rising tensions, Kejriwal wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, accusing BJP workers of hooliganism and intimidation. He urged the EC to deploy special election observers in New Delhi to ensure fair polling.

The high-stakes New Delhi constituency battle features a triangular contest between AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress' Sandeep Dikshit. With just days left before the polls, the accusations and counter-accusations are only heating up.