A big controversy has erupted during the Delhi elections after BJP leader Parvesh Verma, contesting from the New Delhi assembly constituency, has reportedly alleged that vehicles from Punjab were roaming around Delhi for pressure and posing a potential security threat. He also claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party might be bringing men and official machinery from Punjab to impact the upcoming elections.
The way the things unfolded after the BJP leader’s statements have led to a situation with many entities sending him legal notices demanding a public apology for his remarks about vehicles with Punjab registration plates in the national capital. The BJP leader had made this remark while interacting with the media fraternity but seemingly the statement has bounced back with many seems to have gotten infuriated over the remark that their presence in the national capital is probably a security threat. This might be a political statement in line with what AAP leaders have been doing during such election campaigns. Kejriwal, Atishi and most of the front rank leaders of AAP are known for raising many controversies which later were unfounded. Such controversial statements may yield some advantage during the polls by polarizing the electorate but looking at the present status, it seems that such practice should be avoided by all parties in the interest of fair election.
Legally also there is no wrong in travelling to Delhi or in Delhi in a vehicle registered outside the National Capital region. Better the BJP leader should have made a qualified statement whether these were official vehicles or he should have quoted some intelligence inputs.
As far as issue of security is concerned, the aforesaid candidate from New Delhi Assembly Constituency should have the knowledge that the security is the subject coming under BJP Government in the centre and if he was really concerned about the matter, he would have asked the Delhi Police or para military to check all Punjab number vehicles and confirm the occupants’ backgrounds, and if there was anything suspicious, the security personnel must have acted as per the law of the land. Raking up unnecessary rows in such a manner seems to be political rhetoric just to change the course of polls.
It is the right time that all the political parties in the fray in Delhi should focus on issues of public interest instead of sparking such needless controversies, which are probably of no use as far as public welfare is concerned.
Although Delhi is witnessing many such controversies in the election time, the final outcome will become public only on the day of counting of votes, when the people’s decision will come to fore deciding which party will run the government and which will not.
