The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Bansuri Swaraj, seeking a reply to a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti. Bharti challenges Swaraj’s election from the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
According to the Returning Officer, Somnath Bharti received 374,815 votes, while Bansuri Swaraj secured 453,185 votes. Swaraj was declared the winner. Bharti’s petition, filed under Sections 80 and 81 of the Representation of the People Act, contests Swaraj’s victory.
Bharti accuses Swaraj and her election agents of misconduct during the May 25, 2024, voting. He claims that BJP workers, acting on Swaraj’s instructions, distributed money, sarees, and salwar suits to voters. Despite objections from AAP workers and the public, Swaraj’s agents allegedly continued these activities.
The petition alleges that Swaraj’s agents distributed pamphlets featuring Bharti’s ballot paper number, photo, election symbol, and Prime Minister Modi’s image. Bharti also claims that BJP used BSP candidate Raj Kumar Anand to assist Swaraj. Anand, previously a minister in the AAP government, allegedly joined the BJP after facing pressure from investigating agencies.
The petition states that Anand revealed he resigned from BSP under pressure from these agencies to avoid arrest. This claim adds to the allegations of electoral misconduct surrounding Swaraj’s victory.
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