BJP's Alleged 'Operation Lotus': AAP Claims Voter List Manipulation to Influence Elections

Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva raised concerns about the use of fraudulent documents to manipulate voter lists, alleging that fake names are being added to the electoral rolls. This issue highlights potential electoral integrity challenges.

P24 News Media

December 30, 2024

1 minute

BJP's Alleged 'Operation Lotus': AAP Claims Voter List Manipulation to Influence Elections

India

The political landscape in Delhi is currently rife with tension as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engage in an increasingly acrimonious exchange of accusations. With elections on the horizon, the debate has intensified around the integrity of the voters' list, with each party alleging malpractices by the other. AAP has brought forth claims that the BJP is systematically seeking to remove names from the voter rolls, a maneuver they assert is aimed at sabotaging their electoral chances. Conversely, the BJP has replied with serious allegations against the AAP, accusing them of inserting fraudulent names onto the voter list to artificially inflate their support base.

At a recent press conference, AAP's national convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his belief that the BJP's approach reflects a lack of political vision and viable candidates for the forthcoming election. He claimed, "The BJP is resorting to dishonest methods to claim victory. The citizens of Delhi are wise and will not allow such tactics to succeed. We will not permit them to replicate the strategies they allegedly employed in Maharashtra and Haryana." Kejriwal pointed out that the BJP had made a formal request to remove over 11,000 names from the electoral rolls in the Shahdara Assembly constituency, where AAP had previously secured their seat by a tight margin of 5,000 votes.

He indicated that if these names were removed, the chances of AAP winning again would diminish significantly. "Fortunately, they were caught in the act, and those names remain," he remarked, extending gratitude to the Chief Election Officer for intervening. Furthermore, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP has embarked on what he termed "Operation Lotus" in his constituency. He revealed that within a span of just two weeks, the party had filed requests to eliminate 5,000 names while aiming to add 7,500 new names to the electoral register. He questioned the legitimacy of holding elections under such manipulated circumstances, asserting, "This is not a fair game but rather an orchestrated play disguised as an election."

According to Kejriwal, a summary revision of the electoral list had already been conducted, leading to a revised voter registry being published on October 29. He challenged the BJP’s claim of a discrepancy of 12 percent, asking, "If such a variation exists, does it mean the Election Commission's review was flawed?" He further revealed that the bulk of the deletion applications had been submitted by a handful of individuals, raising questions about their motives and the authenticity of the verification process they claimed to be conducting. Kejriwal reported that upon investigating these requests, it was discovered that a significant number of the voters targeted for deletion had lived at their registered addresses for several decades, implying that genuine voters were being unjustly disenfranchised.

He also cautioned that there may be plans to enlist individuals from outside Delhi to falsely register as residents for the purpose of voting. Kejriwal urged election officials to remain vigilant against undue pressure and emphasized that any wrongful actions taken would have lasting consequences, stating, "You may be coerced to act improperly today, but those signatures will persist beyond your tenure." He warned that while the current administration may change, the paper trail would remain, putting the responsibility on the officials who comply with dubious orders.

In the face of these tensions, Kejriwal alleged that the BJP was resorting to nefarious methods, as they appeared to be anticipating a loss in the Delhi elections. He identified three tactics that he claimed the BJP had initiated since December 15: eliminating names of AAP supporters, fabricating additional voter registrations, and attempting to bribe voters with cash. In light of these developments, he called on the electorate to routinely verify their inclusion on the voter lists and mentioned that he had taken up the issue with the election authorities directly.

On the opposite side, BJP's state chief Virendraa Sachdeva countered that the significant increase in the number of registered voters between the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the subsequent Assembly elections warranted scrutiny. He questioned the origins of these new registrations and argued that there should be explanations for why names of individuals who no longer reside in Delhi, or those who are deceased, remained on the voter rolls. He asserted, "The current situation indicates a conspiracy at play to secure electoral victory. We need a thorough examination to ensure the integrity of the elections, as it is essential to uphold democracy.” He characterized AAP's actions as a threat to both public safety and national security, demanding accountability for those allegedly engaged in manipulative practices regarding voter registration.