Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections on February 5, Parvesh Verma, the BJP’s candidate for the New Delhi constituency, has lodged a formal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accusing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal of embezzling Rs.48 crore. The complaint also implicates other members of Kejriwal’s government, alleging corruption and misuse of official positions for personal gain.
Verma, who is challenging Kejriwal in the high-profile New Delhi seat, links the alleged misappropriation of public funds to the Delhi Sports University project. Verma’s lawyer, Vivek Garg, says that officials misused the funds under the guise of building the university, but the location mentioned for the project “does not even have a brick laid.”
The complaint states that Kejriwal and his ministers diverted Rs.48 crore of public funds for their personal benefit. Garg emphasized that such large expenditures, by law, require approval from the Delhi Cabinet, which includes key figures like the Finance Minister and Education Minister. The BJP’s team of lawyers has provided RTI evidence in support of the allegations.
Verma accused Kejriwal and his ministers of conducting a “huge fraud” at the expense of Delhi’s students. The complaint also mentions that the approval process for such an expenditure involves multiple government officials, suggesting widespread involvement in the alleged corruption. Garg further stated that the ACB has assured a fair and thorough investigation into the matter.
This is not the first time that Parvesh Verma has raised concerns about alleged corruption under Kejriwal’s leadership. Earlier, Verma filed a complaint with the ACB regarding the installation of CCTV cameras in the New Delhi constituency, accusing Kejriwal and other officials of misusing funds for that project as well.
The tension between the BJP and AAP has escalated as the Delhi assembly election approaches. In response to the corruption allegations, Kejriwal has moved the Election Commission, accusing Verma of attempting to influence voters by distributing money, shoes, and jackets in the constituency.
As the election date draws near, the political atmosphere in Delhi remains charged, with both parties preparing for a fierce contest. The Delhi assembly election results will be declared on February 8, and observers will closely watch how these allegations and counter-allegations affect the political dynamics in the capital.
With allegations of corruption at the forefront of the campaign, voters in Delhi face a challenging decision as they head to the polls next week.
