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Journalism of Courage
Days before a job fair was set to be held by New Delhi BJP candidate Parvesh Verma, local election officials have been asked to take “preventive actions” in the constituency in response to a complaint filed by AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Verma, who is contesting against Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat in the February 5 Assembly polls, had, last week, announced the ‘Har Ghar Naukri’ campaign ostensibly aimed at providing jobs in “50 prominent companies from across the country” to youth residing in the constituency. The fair was scheduled to be held on Wednesday (January 15).
A day after the announcement of the fair, Kejriwal called on the Election Commission and sought action against Verma for allegedly distributing Rs 1,100 to women in public and the “blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct” by “soliciting votes by promising jobs”.
In an action-taken report on Kejriwal’s allegations to the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, the New Delhi District Election Officer, in a letter dated January 10, stated that the police stations concerned had been asked to furnish an action-taken report “on an urgent basis”.
In addition, the DEO stated, that the Returning Officer (RO) concerned “has been requested to ensure no registrations would be held at the places listed in the complaint” and specifically instructed “to take all preventive actions to prevent the conduct of camp on 15.01.2025…” in addition to prohibiting the conduct of interviews “at the given time and place, if such events are organised…”
In response to the former Chief Minister’s allegation regarding the distribution of cash to women voters from the constituency as well as organising medical camps, the DEO also stated, his complaint had been forwarded to both the RO as well as the police “for investigating the facts and take necessary actions as per the norms of the Representation of People Act, as applicable…”
Alleging that the local election officials “have surrendered to the BJP’s influence and are shielding these activities”, Kejriwal had urged the Election Commission to ensure that these “malpractices are stopped and strict action is taken.”
The DEO, in the response to the Delhi CEO, added that “prompt action” was being taken on all complaints alleging electoral malpractices and MCC violations by all authorities concerned. “It is ensured that preventive actions are being taken to avoid any MCC violations… teams… are working continuously 24 hours. In view of this, it is not up to the mark to make baseless allegations on the DEO, New Delhi District,” the reply further stated.
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