Bharti alleges BJP MP indulged in ‘corruption’ in LS polls, moves Delhi HC

Bansuri Swaraj had defeated Bharti by 78,370 votes from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency in the general elections held on May 25

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has approached the Delhi high court challenging the election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Bansuri Swaraj as a member of Parliament (MP) from New Delhi constituency, alleging that Swaraj indulged in “corrupt practices” in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Somnath Bharti’s plea said that on the day of the polls, Bansuri Swaraj’s booth agents had her pamphlets displaying her ballot number, photo, and election symbol, along with a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

Swaraj had defeated Bharti by 78,370 votes from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency in the general elections held on May 25.

Bharti’s petition before the high court contended that some BJP workers disturbed money, saaris and suits to the voters on Swaraj’s behalf to influence them to vote in her favour.

Bharti’s plea said that on the day of the polls, Swaraj’s booth agents had her pamphlets displaying her ballot number, photo, and election symbol, along with a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They showed these things to the electors who had lined up in the booth and asked them to vote on a particular ballot.

The plea which is listed before a bench of justice Manmeet PS Arora on Monday went on to add that Raaj Kumar Anand, who had contested as Bahujan Samaj Party candidate, was “set up” by Swaraj’s party to help her win against Bharti.

Swaraj said the petition by Bharti is weak and would not stand good in court. The petition has been filed to revive his political relevance, she added.