Delhi Assembly Election 2025 Highlights: CEC doing politics, destroyed credibility of EC, says Kejriwal on row over Yamuna poisoning claim

In a stinging attack on AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Thursday said the former Delhi chief minister “lies just like Narendra Modi” but is probably more “cunning” and “sophisticated” than the prime minister.

Addressing a public meeting in the Badli constituency in the run-up to the February 5 Assembly polls, Mr. Gandhi asserted that he and his party can never compromise with the BJP. “We will die but never compromise with these people.”

Mr. Gandhi also lashed out at the AAP supremo over his five-year-old promise of making Yamuna water potable and his press conference on Thursday, saying it reflected his “hollowness”.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday lashed out at the Election Commission and Delhi Police for reaching his Kapurthala House residence in New Delhi for a “raid”, accusing them of trying to “defame” the Punjabis at the behest of the BJP.

In a post on X, Mr. Mann also alleged that the EC was not seeing “open distribution” of money by the BJP in the run-up to the Delhi polls and was trying to raid his residence instead.

BJP president J.P. Nadda on Thursday attacked the ruling AAP in Delhi over the issue of corruption and asked people to make the National Capital “AAP-DA” (disaster) free in the upcoming elections.

Calling the AAP chief “anti-national” for making such an allegation, Mr. Nadda said, “He is pitting people of Delhi and Haryana against each other. He is trying to create panic among the people. He does not deserve to be in politics.”

Mr. Nadda also alleged that the AAP-led Delhi government has done a ₹8,000 scam in the Yamuna cleaning projects. - PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday alleged corruption in use of money meant for cleaning Yamuna river during the AAP’s rule, as he exhorted people to dislodge the Kejriwal-led party from power in Delhi.

“BJP will make Delhi the number one capital if voted to power,” Mr. Shah said, adding, “February 5 is an opportunity for the people of Delhi to oust ‘AAP-da,’ and give mandate to the BJP.”

“Kejriwal is making (such) excuses because he gave away the money meant for cleaning Yamuna to AAP’s corruption,” he charged.

He further alleged that it’s the AAP government under Kejriwal’s leadership which allowed Yamuna to get polluted and forced people of Delhi to drink its water.

Addressing a public meeting in Delhi’s Rohini on Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is resorting to petty politics sensing his party’s defeat in the Delhi elections. “Kejriwal is accusing BJP of mixing poison in Yamuna just to win election,” said Mr. Shah.

Voting for Congress in Delhi Assembly polls will strengthen the BJP, alleged AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday in a recorded video message.

He claimed that he recently met a group of Congress supporters and even they believe that their party was not going to win even one of the 70 Assembly seats on February 5.

“I want to appeal to all Congress supporters that if they vote for Congress they will strengthen the BJP in a way. If the BJP came to power in Delhi, it will stop all benefits of AAP government schemes received by you,” Mr. Kejriwal charged.

The AAP supremo also alleged the Congress was contesting the elections with only the motive of ensuring the AAP’s defeat. 

PTI

More than 860 cases of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have been registered ahead of the February 5 Delhi Assembly polls, an official said on Thursday. 

The cases were lodged between January 7, when the MCC came into force, and January 29.

A total of 27,551 people have been arrested during this period under various legal provisions, including those under the Excise Act, according to a statement.

Ahead of the polls, the police have intensified vigilance at border checkpoints and conducted crackdowns on illegal activities, including the smuggling of arms, liquor and drugs.

Delhi Police has recorded 863 cases of alleged MCC violations and confiscated 415 illegal firearms and 473 cartridges with 426 people arrested under the Arms Act, the statement said.

The police have also seized 96,957 litres of liquor and arrested 1,147 people, 165.876 kg of drugs worth over ₹72.8 crore with more than 1,200 banned injections and arrested 156 people so far.

The law enforcement agencies have also seized ₹9.67 crore in cash and 37.39 kg of silver, the statement added. 

PTI

With less than a week left for the Delhi Assembly elections, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday urged young voters to make a “right choice”, as he flagged poor roads and water supplies in the national capital. 

Speaking at an interactive session titled “Youth for Viksit Bharat” at Delhi University’s Hansraj College, Mr. Jaishankar highlighted Delhi’s importance in realising the vision of a developed India. 

“Without youth, there is no ‘Viksit Bharat’. Delhi, as the national capital, carries a special responsibility. When people from other countries visit Delhi, their impression of India is shaped by what they see here,” Mr. Jaishankar said. 

“Viksit Delhi is central to ‘Viksit Bharat’. It should be a model for the country and even beyond,” he added. 

PTI

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Thursday said that all 700 markets in Delhi will remain closed on February 5 for polling day.

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal stated that traders must ensure compliance with the Election Commission and Labour Department’s orders.

In some cases, retail sector shopkeepers can open their stores in the evening after casting their votes, he said.

However, if any shop or factory is opened, employees must be granted a paid leave, and no salary deductions should be made, Mr. Goyal said. 

In a statement, the CTI instructed all market associations and business establishments to keep their shops shut on February 5. Industrial areas will also observe a holiday.

PTI

Questioning the AAP’s candidate selection in Bijwasan, BJP leader Kailash Gahlot has alleged that the “so-called morality and ideals” of the ruling party in Delhi are “now in complete decline”.

Mr. Gahlot, who is the BJP’s candidate from Bijwasan, said the “promises on which the party came to power remain unfulfilled”.

“The most shocking part is that AAP has fielded Surendra Bhardwaj from the Bijwasan Assembly seat despite multiple FIRs against him, including a fresh case registered just yesterday. For the AAP, ‘honesty revolution’ now seems to mean leading in criminal cases,” alleged the former AAP Minister and two-time MLA from Najafgarh.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Gahlot revealed that he had resigned from both the ministerial post and the AAP earlier on November 17 last year, citing the party’s moral decline and failure to fulfill its promises.

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar of doing politics by sending him a notice over his claim that the Haryana government was “mixing poison” in the Yamuna. 

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Kejriwal alleged that Mr. Kumar had “destroyed” the credibility of the Election Commission (EC) and was eyeing a post-retirement position.

The former Chief Minister’s remarks came shortly after the EC expressed dissatisfaction with his reply to its notice and gave him a fresh opportunity to explain his charges against the Haryana government.

“No one has damaged the Election Commission the way Rajiv Kumar has done. If he wants, he can contest elections from any of the Delhi Assembly seats,” Mr. Kejriwal said at the press conference.

“I will not let the people of Delhi drink poisonous water till I am alive. I know they will arrest me in two days but I am not afraid,” he said without naming anyone.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the New Delhi Assembly constituency Parvesh Verma on Thursday took a dig at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging it of ‘threatening’ people for votes ahead of February 5 Assembly polls.

Mr. Verma also targeted AAP over a vehicle seized from outside Delhi’s Punjab Bhawan allegedly with alcohol, cash, and AAP campaign material. 

“...I think that in the next 4-5 days, Delhi’s security will be under threat. Thousands of people of AAP have come from Punjab. They do not campaign for elections. They have entered mohallas. There are vehicles from Punjab with ‘Government of Punjab’ written on them. The vehicle seized had the same words written on it, though it was a private vehicle,” Mr. Verma said, addressing a press conference.

Parvesh Verma is up against AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit from the New Delhi Assembly constituency.

ANI

BJP chief J.P. Nadda on Thursday said the AAP’s blame game on Yamuna pollution has exposed its government’s inefficiency and asked its supremo Arvind Kejriwal to apologise to the people of Haryana and Delhi for his “poison mixed in Yamuna” remarks.

Mr. Nadda alleged that the Kejriwal government has delivered nothing but corruption, lies, and hollow promises for over 10 years. “Despite receiving ₹8,500 crores from the central government, no meaningful work has been done to clean the river,” he said. 

Days before the Delhi polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced seven guarantees, including EWS flats and working hour rules, for domestic workers employed at official residences of MPs, Ministers and government officers. 

A servant registration portal, salary regulations, ₹10 lakh insurance cover and free education for their children are also among the guarantees. 

“First, we will create a servant registration portal to match workers with employment opportunities. Second, hostels will be built for those between jobs. Third, we will deploy mobile mohalla clinics for their healthcare.

“Fourth, laws will be enacted to regulate their salaries and working hours. Fifth, they will receive an insurance cover of ₹10 lakh. Sixth, ₹1 lakh will be provided for their daughters’ weddings. And seventh, their children will get free education,” he said. 

With less than a week left for Delhi assembly polls, Congress candidate from the New Delhi constituency Sandeep Dikshit on today dared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for an open debate.

The Congress leader said if Mr. Kejriwal does not have time, then he is ready to set up a stage outside the AAP leader’s residence for the debate.

“I have challenged Kejriwal to an open debate; if Mr. Kejriwal does not have time, then I am ready to set up a stage outside Kejriwal’s residence,” Mr. Dikshit said.

“I (Sandeep Dixit) am ready for a debate outside Jantar Mantar, Mr. Kejriwal house or wherever the Aam Aadmi Party is convenient,” he added.

- ANI

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (January 29, 2025) refused to release AAP MLA Naresh Balyan, arrested in a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case, on custody parole to enable him to “guide” his wife contesting the upcoming assembly polls.

Read more

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal yesterday replied to the Election Commission of India’s notice over his claims regarding Yamuna water, blaming the issue on indiscriminate discharge of untreated waste into the river upstream, and denying he violated any laws. 

Read more

Election Commission of India says AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s response does not specify any evidence regarding the poisoning of river Yamuna.

In a letter to Mr. Kejriwal, the ECI asks him not to mix the issue of increased Ammonia in the water with that of poisoning and asks him to respond again by January 31, 11 a.m.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini yesterday took a couple of sips of water from River Yamuna and hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying there is no poison in water coming from his State to national capital.

He alleged that the minds of AAP leaders are definitely filled with poison.

AAP had on Monday accused the ruling BJP in Haryana of intentionally draining industrial waste into the Yamuna, with AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal alleging that it is trying to kill people by “mixing poison” in the river.

Read more:

Haryana CM Saini sips Yamuna water, says no poison going to Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal hits back

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini drinks Yamuna water to prove AAP wrong, accuses them of spreading lies and fear for political gain.

A day after Delhi Police seized cash and liquor from a car with ‘Punjab government’ sticker, the AAP alleged it was part of the BJP’s “dirty politics” to defame it and its government in Punjab.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh demanded that the Election Commission take cognisance of the matter and ensure action against those behind the “conspiracy”.

“The dirty politics of BJP has stooped so low that they are using a fake registration number vehicle shown to be carrying money and publicity material of a party to defame the AAP, Punjab government and the Punjab Bhawan,” he alleged.

Singh also lashed at the BJP and Delhi Police, saying it was a matter of concern that a fake registration number vehicle was roaming around in the city.

The Delhi Police registered a case after the vehicle labelled “Punjab government” was on Wednesday intercepted with cash, liquor and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets, an official said.

The vehicle bearing a Punjab number plate was caught by the flying squad team in the New Delhi district, the official said.

- PTI

Baijayant Panda, the BJP’s national vice president, spoke to The Hindu about the party’s promises to Delhi’s voters and addressed questions about the ‘revri’ [freebie] culture and the decision to not declare a chief ministerial face for the February 5 Assembly election.Read the full interview by The Hindu:

Middle-class voters, gig workers, auto drivers, slum dwellers are all fed up with AAP, says Baijayant Panda

BJP's Baijayant Panda discusses party promises, 'revri' culture, and decision to not declare a CM face for Delhi election.

Hitting the campaign trail for the February 5 Assembly elections in Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge yesterday dubbed the BJP and AAP as “Jhoothon ke Sardar” (chieftain of liars), calling them two sides of the same coin which did “nothing” for people’s welfare in the national capital.

Addressing a public meeting in Burari, Kharge claimed the BJP and AAP only made false promises to the people of Delhi, and urged the voters to give the Congress a chance by driving away those who seek to divide people and don’t turn up to solve their issues when required.

He also accused the BJP and AAP of being hand-in-glove with each other to oust the Congress from power in Delhi.

- PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday led a no-holds-barred attack against the Congress, urging Delhi residents not to “waste” their votes on the grand old party. 

“Some people here are thinking about voting for Congress. Why would you waste your vote? Congress won’t win. It will only cut votes. The Congress and the BJP have struck a deal. They are fighting together to defeat AAP,” he said, addressing a rally in north Delhi’s Timarpur, yesterday..

Read more:

Don’t waste your vote on Congress, says Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal urges Delhi residents not to waste votes on Congress, promises quick solutions if AAP wins.

Jitender Singh Shunty, the Padma Shri awardee who gained fame during the COVID-19 pandemic for providing free ambulance services and cremating bodies for the needy, says he is contesting the Delhi Assembly election as an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate to improve the health infrastructure.

Read more: 

Contesting to improve health infrastructure, says Delhi’s ‘Ambulance Man’

Padma Shri awardee Jitender Singh Shunty, known for free ambulance services, contests Delhi Assembly election with AAP to improve health infrastructure.