New Delhi – The political landscape in Delhi witnessed another heated confrontation as the AAP, BJP spar over EVM manipulation issue escalated into a major controversy. The debate was sparked by a video clip featuring Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, which AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, shared widely, accusing the ruling party of indulging in vote theft. The BJP, however, countered by releasing a longer version of the same clip, calling the allegations a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
The clip that ignited the controversy
The matter began when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal posted a 14-second clip of chief minister Rekha Gupta on social media. In the video, she was purportedly heard saying in Hindi that for 70 years when Congress was “hacking the EVMs nothing was taking place, but when we do it, they are feeling bad.” The statement immediately triggered speculation and debate, forming the crux of the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation narrative.
AAP’s sharp response
The Aam Aadmi Party released a statement emphasizing that Gupta’s remarks confirmed suspicions about electoral malpractice. AAP argued that her words directly indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party had committed vote theft in the Delhi elections. The party said that the statement created a political stir in the capital and exposed the ruling party’s conduct. For AAP, the clip was proof that AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation was not just rhetoric but grounded in the CM’s own words.
Wider circulation of the video
Other AAP leaders quickly amplified the video clip, reposting it with critical captions. The timing of this move, just months into Gupta’s tenure as chief minister, ensured that the video gained rapid traction on digital platforms. This deliberate strategy was designed to highlight the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation debate at the national level and to question the credibility of Delhi’s electoral process.
BJP counters with longer footage
In retaliation, BJP leaders released a longer 1 minute and 20 second version of the same interview. In this version, Gupta clarified her stance, stating that the EVM controversy was baseless. She emphasized that when the opposition won elections, it was attributed to the people’s mandate, but when BJP secured victories, the opposition cried foul. BJP argued that this clarified footage exposed the selective editing by AAP, further intensifying the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation row.
Also Read: Gangster Neeraj Bawana’s Father Arrested In Bold Delhi Police Crackdown
Amit Malviya’s defense
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya shared the extended clip, highlighting Gupta’s words that opposition parties were misleading citizens. According to Malviya, the full interview showed that Gupta had actually dismissed the EVM allegations outright. He claimed the opposition’s tactics revealed their desperation, further fueling the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation political battle.
Reaction from Delhi BJP leadership
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva condemned Kejriwal for circulating an edited clip. He stated that when viewed in entirety, Gupta’s comments clearly pointed out that for decades, Congress victories were unquestioned, but BJP’s success was immediately linked to rigging. Sachdeva argued that Kejriwal was attempting to malign the chief minister’s image as her government’s seven months of achievements overshadowed his ten-year tenure. This defense played a crucial role in shaping the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation exchanges.
The rhetoric of credibility
For the BJP, the controversy was about restoring credibility. Leaders stressed that accusations against electronic voting machines had become a recurring tool for opposition parties to undermine democratic outcomes. They claimed that the opposition’s refusal to accept results pointed to political opportunism rather than genuine concerns, a perspective that reframed the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation dispute.
AAP’s political strategy
On the other hand, AAP used the controversy to question BJP’s moral authority. By projecting Gupta’s remarks as an admission of wrongdoing, AAP sought to galvanize its support base and challenge the ruling party’s legitimacy. The opposition framed the issue not just as a technical dispute over voting machines but as evidence of manipulation, giving the AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation issue broader electoral significance.
Impact on Delhi politics
The exchange has stirred Delhi’s political environment, placing electoral integrity at the forefront of public debate. For citizens, the repeated allegations and counter-allegations have heightened curiosity and skepticism regarding voting processes. The AAP BJP spar over EVM manipulation controversy has thus become more than a war of words; it is shaping perceptions about governance and accountability in the capital.
