In his letter, Kejriwal accused BJP leaders of engaging in vote-buying and large-scale deletion of Dalit and Purvanchali voters from electoral rolls. He inquired whether the RSS supports such practices, stating, "BJP leaders are openly distributing money. Does RSS support buying votes? Dalit and Purvanchali votes are being cut on a large scale. Does RSS think this is right for democracy? Does RSS not think that BJP is weakening democracy?"
These allegations come as Delhi prepares for assembly elections scheduled for February. Kejriwal's letter intensifies the ongoing political confrontation between AAP and BJP, with both parties accusing each other of electoral malpractices.
AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar supported Kejriwal's claims, alleging that BJP leaders have been submitting applications to delete voters' names in various constituencies, particularly targeting Purvanchali voters. She cited the example of BJP leader Vishal Bharadwaj in the Shahdara constituency, stating, "When we raised our voices against it, then he stopped it." Kakkar also accused BJP leader Parvesh Sharma of distributing money for votes in the New Delhi constituency and submitting conflicting applications to the Election Commission for voter additions and deletions.
In response, the BJP has denied these allegations and countered by accusing AAP of including illegal voters in the electoral rolls. BJP spokesperson Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that AAP has added illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters to the list, stating, "We openly state that you have added 8,000 to 10,000 illegal votes per constituency. In houses where five people live, you’ve registered up to 50 fake votes. We will remove every single one of these illegal votes."
Sirsa further accused AAP of harboring and supporting infiltrators for political gain, stating, "You’ve settled infiltrators here, given them Rs 10,000 per month, free ration, and even shelter in tents... Now, when their votes are being removed, you are in distress. Let me make it clear, no Rohingya or Bangladeshi infiltrator will be allowed to vote in Delhi."
This is not the first time Kejriwal has addressed the RSS chief regarding BJP's actions. In September 2024, he wrote a similar letter posing five questions related to the BJP and its leadership. Among the questions, Kejriwal asked whether the BJP's age limit for retirement, which has been applied to veteran leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, also applies to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He questioned whether Modi would step down upon reaching the age of 75.
Kejriwal also raised concerns about the alleged misuse of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to "destabilize opposition-led governments." He questioned whether this practice aligns with the values of the RSS. Additionally, he drew attention to BJP President J.P. Nadda's statement during the Lok Sabha elections, where Nadda reportedly said that the BJP does not need the RSS, and asked Bhagwat for his reaction to this.
The exchange of accusations between AAP and BJP highlights the escalating tensions as both parties prepare for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The allegations of voter list manipulation and vote-buying have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in the capital. The Election Commission has not yet issued a statement regarding these allegations.
As the political climate intensifies, both parties continue to engage in a war of words, each accusing the other of undermining democratic principles. The involvement of the RSS, a significant ideological force in Indian politics, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Bhagwat's response, or lack thereof, to Kejriwal's letter could influence public perception ahead of the elections.
The Delhi Assembly elections are expected to be a closely contested battle between AAP and BJP, with both parties vying for control of the capital's legislative assembly. The outcome of these elections could have broader implications for the national political landscape, especially with general elections on the horizon.