North News
New Delhi, January 22
The Delhi Assembly elections have taken a more serious turn with escalating tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, representing the New Delhi constituency, has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission and Delhi Police. He alleges that vehicles bearing ‘Government of Punjab’ stickers, including those of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, ministers, MLAs, and party workers, have been roaming in Delhi in recent days. Verma alleged that the VIP vehicles were involved in distributing alcohol and money.
Verma accused AAP leaders suggesting that they are preparing for an electoral defeat. “I have filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. I will use the money for the people of New Delhi assembly,” he said.
In a response posted on social media, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the allegations, asserting that people from every state have the right to visit the national capital. He criticized the BJP’s questioning of vehicles with Punjab number plates, calling it an “insult” to Punjabis. Mann further emphasized the broader issue of national security, accusing BJP leader Amit Shah of not addressing other critical security issues, such as foreign nationals crossing borders. He demanded an apology from the BJP for the comments made against Punjabis.
Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang joined in condemning the BJP’s remarks. Cheema reminded the public of Punjab’s crucial role in India’s independence struggle, while Kang condemned Verma’s actions as a direct insult to the Punjabi community.
Meanwhile, the situation has grown more complex, with Delhi Police requesting assistance from the Punjab Police. They have expressed concerns over Punjab vehicles moving through the city with pilot vehicles, without providing details to local authorities. In response, the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) assured full cooperation to the Delhi Police Commission in a letter dated January 18. Punjab has also appointed an Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Security as the nodal officer to maintain contact with the Delhi Police, sources revealed. Additionally, fresh instructions have been issued to ensure that VIP vehicles follow traffic rules and avoid jumping signals in Delhi.
