EC Issues Notice to Atishi Over Allegation of BJP Membership Offer Under Threat of Arrest

The Election Commission (EC) has taken action against AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi following her assertion that the BJP approached her for membership through one of her associates. Atishi has been instructed to respond to the notice by noon on April 8.

EC takes action on Atishi

In its notice, the EC emphasized the importance of political criticism being confined to policies, records, and public activities, urging parties and candidates to refrain from commenting on private matters not linked to public duties. It stressed the need for factual accuracy in statements to avoid misleading voters.

Atishi’s claim, made during a press conference on April 2, prompted a complaint from the BJP to the EC, alleging her remarks were misleading and unverified. Atishi stated that she was offered BJP membership under the threat of arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) if she refused.

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The BJP swiftly denied these allegations, labeling them as baseless. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, contesting re-election from North East Delhi, criticized Atishi’s actions, highlighting that despite warnings of potential consequences, she failed to retract her statements, prompting the BJP to escalate the matter to the Election Commission.

Tiwari further accused AAP leaders, particularly Atishi, of habitually tarnishing the BJP’s reputation. The EC’s intervention underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and factual accuracy in political discourse, particularly during the electoral process.