The Election Commission called Kumar Vishwas’s comments “inflammatory, communally divisive”.
new Delhi:
The Election Commission on Thursday lifted its moratorium on broadcast of Kumar Vishwas’s explosive remarks against Arvind Kejriwal, with leaders from both sides of the political divide – Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Congress’s Rahul Gandhi – referring to the matter and attacking Did the Chief Minister of Delhi.
The Election Commission on Wednesday barred the media from airing a video in which Kumar Vishwas accused Kejriwal of wanting to be the chef minister of Punjab or the prime minister of an independent nation (Khalistan) without naming Kejriwal.
In the video, which was shared by the BJP, he is heard recalling a conversation, and says, “One day, he (Mr Kejriwal) told me that he would either become the chief minister (of Punjab) or an independent Will become the first PM of the nation (Khalistan)…. He wants power at any cost,” he is heard saying.
Election Commission barred media from airing the interview given to news agency ANI, calling the comments “inflammatory, communally divisive and provocative… manufactured and circulated in collusion with disruptive elements with a view to defame Arvind Kejriwal” “.
The Election Commission said the video was meant to promote ill-will and enmity between different communities and create “disturbance and disharmony” in Punjab.
Earlier today, at a rally in Punjab, PM Modi referred to Kumar Vishwas’s remarks, alleging that Mr Kejriwal and his party have “same agenda” as Pakistan – “to break India”. For… to join hands with separatists to get power”.
He said the allegations should be taken seriously by every voter and citizen.
“They are ready to join hands with separatists to get power. They are also ready to break the country if needed. Their agenda is not different from the agenda of the country’s enemies and Pakistan. That’s why they follow Pakistan’s line on surgical strikes. So they want to increase the network of drugs in Punjab.
Later in the evening, demanding Mr Kejriwal’s response to the issue, Rahul Gandhi said: “There is no need for long speeches. One word. You meet the media, one word like – Kumar Vishwas lied to. Yes, I didn’t say such thing or Kumar Vishwas is telling the truth, I did it. Kejriwal is not answering. Why is he not answering… Yes… Because AAP founder (Kumar Vishwas) is telling the truth. are.”
The Aam Aadmi Party has rubbished the claims of its former founding member, who was once a close aide of Kejriwal.
Senior party leader Raghav Chadha tweeted a strongly worded statement, calling the comments “malicious, baseless, fabricated and provocative”.
The statement said the comments “intention to create a situation of hatred, ill-will, enmity in the society and particularly against the Aam Aadmi Party… and create a situation of unrest.”
Asked today whether he has proof of his claims, Mr. Vishwas said, “It is all being said chintas (Minions) of the enchanted man who came into the scene only after our hard earned victory. To enjoy the cream. tell them chintas to send to its owner. We all show our cards – as many messages as we have”.
Kumar Vishwas had distanced himself from the AAP five years ago after a lot of bitterness with Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia. Senior leaders had accused him of trying to break the party and topple the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi.
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