AAP chief gets notice; Ashutosh's tweets against Sibal under scanner

A day before Delhi went to the polls, the city electoral office issued notices to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and the party’s candidate from Chandni Chowk constituency Ashutosh.

While Kejriwal has been issued notice for holding a public gathering at Raj Ghat without permission, Ashutosh has come under the poll panel’s scanner for tweeting against his Congress rival Kapil Sibal, accusing him of distributing money in the area for votes.

After being slapped by an autorickshaw driver at Sultanpuri on Tuesday, Kejriwal visited Raj Ghat with scores of supporters to pray.“Arvind Kejriwal is issued a notice for holding a meeting at Rajghat without permission and has been asked to reply by 10 am on Thursday,” a senior Delhi electoral officer said.

Ashutosh denied having received any notice from the EC though. On Wednesday, Ashutosh wrote over a dozen tweets alleging bribery and threat from Sibal and requested the EC to step in. 

“Kapil Sibbal has started distributing money in Chandni Chowk to buy votes. EC should register a case and debar him from contesting,” he tweeted on Wednesday. Sibal then threatened him of legal action for the allegations. “There is no truth in the allegations. I will prosecute Ashutosh over his allegations against me,” Sibal said.In another tweet, Ashutosh wrote, “Sibbal knows he can’t save his deposit so trying all tricks but he will not succeed. People are awakened and will teach him lesson.”He said the EC should probe the matter and take action against Sibal.

“Indian democracy has earned bad name due to men like Sibbal who think that money can buy vote and seat,” he said, arguing that this year’s Lok Sabha elections is a battle between “honesty and money power”.

He said that his wife was a witness to Sibal’s aides distributing money in packets. “I wish she had a spy cam,” Ashutosh said, pointing out that his associates saw Congress workers distributing money in the constituency. 

AAP has backed Ashutosh and has written to the EC over distribution of cash to voters in Ballimaran Assembly constituency. The party called for the EC probe and also requested for intensified surveillance of flying squads to stop such practices on voting day.