Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to remove Purvanchali voters from Delhi’s electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. He alleges that BJP members are visiting homes under the pretext of verifying voter information to facilitate these deletions. In response, Kejriwal has urged Purvanchali residents not to disclose their names or show their voter ID cards to BJP representatives, warning that such interactions could lead to their disenfranchisement.
Kejriwal further claims that BJP President JP Nadda has equated Purvanchalis with Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants, a statement he deems offensive and indicative of a broader conspiracy against the community. He has announced plans for AAP members, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, to conduct door-to-door campaigns in Purvanchali-dominated areas to raise awareness about this issue and counter the BJP’s alleged actions.
In response, BJP leaders have dismissed these allegations, asserting that their efforts are aimed at identifying and removing illegal immigrants from the voter lists to ensure fair elections. They accuse Kejriwal of politicizing the issue and using the Purvanchali community as a vote bank.
This controversy has intensified the political climate in Delhi as parties prepare for the Assembly elections scheduled for early 2025. The Purvanchali community, comprising migrants from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, represents a significant voter base in the capital, making their support crucial for electoral success.
By – kartik chandra murmu