AAP Versus BJP As Vote Theft Row Erupts Over Delhi Election

New Delhi:

The contentious debate over alleged "vote theft" has reignited in the national capital, with Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party leveling accusations against the Election Commission for supposedly collaborating with the BJP during the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. This controversy emerges as Delhi prepares for its upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, placing electoral integrity at the forefront of political discourse once again.

AAP Resurrects 'Vote Chori' Claims

During a press conference, AAP's Delhi chief Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed that the party's earlier warnings to the Election Commission were disregarded. "The Election Commission is engaged in 'vote chori' in collaboration with the BJP," he asserted.

Former Chief Minister Atishi had written to the Chief Election Commissioner on January 8 and 9 requesting action, but received no response. On January 9, Arvind Kejriwal also sent correspondence highlighting alleged fraud in the New Delhi constituency.

"Last month, we even submitted an RTI inquiry asking what investigation or action was taken regarding those letters. The Election Commission responded that the action taken 'cannot be shared publicly'," the AAP leader revealed.

AAP officials contend that government quarters relocation, demolition initiatives, and large-scale family displacements were used as pretexts to manipulate voter rolls in the New Delhi constituency, where BJP's Parvesh Verma defeated Arvind Kejriwal in one of 2025's most closely-watched electoral battles.

BJP's Rebuttal

The BJP has rejected these accusations as political theatrics. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva stated that AAP was unwilling to accept reality.

"Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Satyendar Jain are suffering from phobia. If Kejriwal had actually visited these areas, he would understand the extent of government quarters vacated, demolished, reconstructed, and the number of families relocated," he remarked.

"Those who relocated could have applied for voter IDs if desired, and AAP workers could have assisted them. Instead, they're complaining today. If they genuinely possess evidence, they should file an affidavit with the Election Commission rather than creating commotion during press conferences," he added.

Vote Manipulation - A National Controversy

While Delhi represents the immediate focal point, the issue of alleged "vote chori" has already evolved into a significant political controversy nationwide.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of conspiring with the Election Commission to manipulate voter lists extensively across multiple states.

Mr. Gandhi alleged that in Karnataka, over one lakh votes were "stolen" in the Mahadevapura assembly segment during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He cited irregularities including duplicate entries, invalid voter IDs, misuse of registration forms, and name deletions. Mr. Gandhi has also characterized the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls as "institutionalised chori," suggesting it's designed to disenfranchise opposition-leaning voters.

The Election Commission has described these allegations as "deplorable" and "baseless," while the BJP has dismissed them as the Opposition's strategy to explain electoral defeats.