Delhi Elections: BJP MP Giriraj Singh Distributed Money Ahead of Polls, AAP Writes to EC

A day ahead of the Assembly elections in Delhi, on February 7, Rajya Sabha MP from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sanjay Singh alleged that BJP MP and Union Minister Giriraj Singh was found distributing money in the Rithala Assembly constituency in Delhi. 

Addressing a press conference, Singh said, "We had earlier said the BJP will resort to distributing cash and liquor to influence the voters. It is doing so now. Yesterday too, such reports had come in. BJP violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the entire campaigning period, by giving inflammatory statements. Now with just a day left for the polling, Union Minister Giriraj Singh and other BJP MPs are openly distributing cash and liquor."

He added that they had received information about the incident from the public in the constituency. Demanding strict action against those found indulging in such violations of the Model Code of Conduct, he said that the Chief Election Officer has been informed. He further said, “We demand that all BJP MPs who are not Delhi residents should be taken out of Delhi, as they are distributing cash and other things to influence voters.”

In the statement issued at the press conference, Singh also said, "In this last leg of the campaign, BJP's electoral manipulations are in full swing. We have received inputs that money and liquor are being distributed in some areas. Like last time, we have formed 272 teams in all the 272 wards, which have also been equipped with sting cameras.” 

The AAP leader reportedly also showed a video of the incident at the press conference, which allegedly shows Giriraj Singh at a jewellery shop in Rithala.

As per reports, since the Model Code of Conduct was put in place in the national capital on January 6, cash, liquor, drugs, narcotics, precious metal and freebies worth Rs 55.33 crore have been seized by the law enforcement agencies in Delhi.

“We have seized 99,210 litres of illicit liquor and 774 kg drugs, and 504 illegal arms and 730 ammunitions;  7458 licensed weapons have deposited,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Sharat Kumar Sinha was quoted as saying on Friday. On the same day, two people along with 55 cartons of illegal liquor were arrested by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police from Najafgarh area of the national capital.

As per reports, Rs 9.02 crore cash has been seized till February 1, according to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Additionally, 501 (485 FIRs/16 DD entries) have been lodged against the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. A total of 6,19,141 hoardings/banners/posters were removed till February 1. The CEO’s office also said that 323 FIRs have been registered under the Arms Act and 347 people have been arrested so far.

Poll are underway in Delhi on February 8 from 8 AM. Results will be declared on February 11.