Delhi Polls 2025: Centre Is Manipulating Voters List, Claims CM Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has accused LG Vinai Saxena of trying to influence the electoral process by removing AAP supporters from voter lists. She alleged that election officers are being pressured to eliminate about 20,000 voters, claiming the BJP is worried about losing in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The BJP has not yet responded to these allegations.

"The central government is trying to win the Delhi elections by unfair means. They are orchestrating the removal of voters from the electoral roll, particularly those aligned with AAP," Atishi stated during a press conference in Delhi.

Allegations of Voter List Manipulation

Atishi highlighted an order dated October 28 by the Lieutenant Governor, which transferred 29 Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), as part of this alleged scheme. She urged booth-level officers to resist such pressures and document any coercion attempts. "If someone tries to force you into cutting voters' names, record it and send it to me. I will ensure action is taken. The Constitution of India is in your hands today," she advised.

Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal, AAP's convener, intensified his criticism of the BJP. He accused them of engaging in "jhuggi tourism" before the assembly elections scheduled for February. Kejriwal claimed that despite demolishing several slums over recent years, BJP leaders are now visiting these areas under this campaign.

BJP's Outreach Campaigns

The Delhi BJP has initiated its "Jhuggi Ratri Pravas Abhiyan," where senior leaders, including state president Virendra Sachdeva, will stay overnight in various slums and interact with residents. This campaign aims to cover 250 slum clusters across the city as part of their outreach efforts.

Kejriwal criticised this initiative as making light of poverty by comparing it to holidaying in Goa. He warned slum dwellers to be wary of such visits under 'jhuggi tourism,' suggesting that these leaders might return later with bulldozers for demolitions.

The BJP has been out of power in Delhi since 1998 and is focusing on slum residents, who are traditionally strong supporters of AAP and Kejriwal. Through sustained campaigns and outreach programmes, they aim to win over this voter base.

As political tensions rise ahead of the elections, both parties continue their campaigns while addressing issues affecting Delhi's residents. The outcome remains uncertain as each side seeks support from different sections of society.