New Delhi: The political temperature is rising in the national Capital as the Delhi Assembly election approaches.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann have been issued Rs 50-crore defamation suit each for levelling “false allegations” against BJP’s Parvesh Verma.
The BJP leader, who is contesting against former chief minister Kejriwal from the New Delhi constituency, also sought an apology from the AAP duo within 48 hours.
The notice charged Kejriwal and Mann for allegedly defaming Verma with “false misleading statements baseless tweets/re-tweets dated 21.1.2025 with distortion/misquoting to defame/blame and conspire.”
“By serving you this legal notice, I hereby call upon you to pay the damages of Rupees one hundred crores (fifty crores each) to my client as well as tender an unconditional written apology, within forty eight (48) hours from the receipt of this notice, failing which my client would be constrained to initiate legal proceedings against you the notices before the competent court of law and Police, at your risk, cost and consequences,” the notice read.
Kejriwal had condemned the BJP leader’s remarks that cars from Punjab posed a security threat ahead of Republic Day. “Delhi is home to lakhs of Punjabis, whose families and ancestors have made countless sacrifices for the country. Many Punjabis also came to Delhi as refugees during the partition, leaving everything behind and enduring immense suffering. Punjabis have shaped Delhi,” Kejriwal wrote on X in Hindi.
“By calling Punjabis a threat to the country, BJP has insulted lakhs of Punjabis living in Delhi. BJP should apologise to Punjabis,” Kejriwal said.
Verma earlier alleged that thousands of cars from Punjab, carrying CM Mann, AAP ministers and legislators, have come to Delhi over the past few days to campaign for the AAP.
“I don’t have a problem with their campaigning, but they are influencing voters by distributing CCTV cameras from Chinese companies, liquor, and money,” Verma claimed.
He said he has filed complaints against AAP with police and the Election Commission.
Accusing a ‘frustrated’ Kejriwal of resorting to lies because of his party’s ‘imminent defeat’ next month, Verma said: “The people of Delhi will give them a reply on February 5, and on February 8, the lotus will bloom.”
Delhi will vote to elect 70 legislators in a single phase on February 5.
