AAP seeks urgent meeting with poll panel over alleged raids and sealing of office
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New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has urgently requested a meeting with the Election Commission to address concerns about maintaining a fair electoral environment in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stated Delhi Minister Atishi on Saturday.
She highlighted alleged incidents of raids by the Income Tax department on an AAP MLA and the sealing of the party's office in the national capital.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Atishi asserted, "The Aam Aadmi Party has sought an urgent appointment with the Election Commission, to ensure a level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections. Despite the representation made yesterday. Today, the Aam Aadmi Party office was sealed. Lok Sabha candidates and party leaders could not come to the party office for campaign meetings. There was an IT Dept raid on the home of one of our MLAs. It is the responsibility given by the Indian Constitution to the @ECISVEEP to ensure a level playing field."
The Income Tax Department carried out searches at the residence of Delhi AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav on Saturday. Yadav, a two-time MLA representing Delhi's Matiala constituency, was the subject of the raid.
The INDIA bloc, comprising opposition leaders, had previously submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India, alleging targeted actions against opposition figures by the ruling BJP through the misuse of central agencies. The memorandum, presented by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Abhishek Singhvi, and other leaders, urged the EC to intervene in such instances.
The INDIA bloc urged the poll body to ensure that any further raids, investigations, and arrests receive prior approval from the Commission or a committee established under its authority. Additionally, they called for immediate investigations into alleged misuse of power by certain individuals and officers to harass opposition leaders.
The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED sparked controversy, with Kejriwal challenging the legality of the summonses issued to him. He has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate until March 28 in connection with a case concerning irregularities and money laundering related to the Delhi Excise Policy 2022.