The Election Commission of India, on April 5, 2024, issued show cause notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi for her claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) approached her to join the party.
As per the notice, the apex election body asked the Delhi Minister to back her statement on the BJP’s poaching bid with facts and sought a response by April 8 noon.
The notice issued by the Election Commission read, “...you are a minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and leader of a national party. The electors tend to believe whatever is being said from public forum by their leaders and in that sense the statements made by them affect the campaign discourse.” The poll panel said it expects that there must be a “factual foundation” to the statements made by the AAP leader and since the veracity of the statements made has been contested, she must be able to back it with a factual basis.
“Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to furnish your para wise response to the matter...,” the notice added.
On April 2, Ms. Atishi claimed that the BJP approached her through a “very close” person to join the party or be prepared to be nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) within a month.
“I was approached by the BJP through a person very close to me who asked me to join the BJP to save and enhance my political career or I will be arrested within a month,” she had said addressing a press conference in New Delhi.
The Delhi unit of BJP challenged her to provide details of her allegation. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva confirmed a defamation notice has been sent to Atishi, demanding a public apology for her claim.
