Today(on 20th July), AAP leader Somnath Bharti has challenged BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj’s election in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, accusing her of corrupt practices. The Delhi High Court, under Justice Manmeet PS Arora, will hear the petition on July 22.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 20th July), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court contesting the election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The petition, which alleges ‘corrupt practices‘ during the election process, is set to be heard by Justice Manmeet PS Arora on July 22.
According to the plea, Bharti secured 3,74,815 votes, while Swaraj received 4,53,185 votes, as per the returning officer’s report. Both candidates contested from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency, with Swaraj emerging as the winner.
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“The petitioner, Bharti, has filed the present election petition under Sections 80 and 81 of the Representation of the People Act. This petition challenges the election of respondent No. 1, Swaraj, as a Member of the House of the People from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency. The challenge is based on allegations of ‘corrupt practices’ committed by respondent No. 1, her election agent, and other individuals with her consent during the Lok Sabha election held on May 25, 2024.”
-the plea stated.
The petition further alleged that Raaj Kumar Anand, a former AAP minister, was strategically positioned by Swaraj’s party to undermine Bharti’s chances. Although Anand ran as a candidate for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the plea suggests his true intention was to aid Swaraj.
It highlighted that Anand was actively campaigning for Bharti until April 9 but resigned from the party on April 10. Subsequently, Anand contested the election on a BSP ticket, purportedly to split the vote share, and later joined the BJP on July 10.
“On election day, May 5, 2024, the petitioner visited various polling booths throughout the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency and was alarmed to find that booth agents of respondent No. 1 were distributing pamphlets featuring her ballot number, photo, election symbol, and a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These pamphlets were being shown to voters in line and urging them to vote for Ballot No. 1, which constitutes a corrupt practice. Despite reporting this issue to respondent No. 3 (the returning officer), no action was taken.”
-the plea claimed.
The allegations underscore a significant controversy surrounding the electoral process in one of India’s most prominent constituencies. Bharti’s accusations suggest a deliberate strategy to influence voter behavior through misleading practices and the misuse of political affiliations.
