Atishi Questions Election Commission’s Impartiality Over Show-Cause Notice: Is it a “Subsidiary Organization of BJP”?

The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Atishi on Friday following her claims that the BJP approached her to join the party. Atishi, a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister criticized the Election Commission, raising doubts about its independence and suggesting it may operate as a “subsidiary organisation” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She also alleged that the BJP leaked the Election Commission notice to the media before she received it via mail.

“On April 4, the BJP filed a complaint against one of my press conferences… On April 5 at 11:15 am, news channels reported that a notice had been sent to Atishi, but I received the notice in the mail half an hour later. This suggests that the BJP first leaks the Election Commission notice to the media, and then I receive it… My question is whether the Election Commission has become a subsidiary organisation of the BJP,” Atishi stated during a press briefing.

Atishi also questioned the Election Commission’s actions regarding notices to central agencies after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and the freezing of Congress’ bank accounts before the Lok Sabha elections. She urged the Election Commission to maintain impartiality and resist any influence from the BJP-led central government.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Atishi following her claims that the BJP approached her to join their ranks through a “very close person.” She alleged that she, along with three other AAP leaders – Saurabh Bharadwaj, Raghav Chadha, and Durgesh Pathak – would be next in line to be arrested by the ED if they didn’t join the BJP.

In response, the Election Commission stated in its notice: “You are a minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and leader of a national party. The electors tend to believe whatever is being said from the public forum by their leaders and in that sense, the statements made by them affect the campaign discourse.” The poll body asked Atishi to substantiate her statement with facts, emphasizing the need for a “factual foundation” to her statements.