Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Parvesh Verma was distributing cash to women in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s New Delhi constituency.
At a press conference, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi alleged that BJP leader Parvesh Verma distributed ₹1,100 to women from slum clusters at his Windsor Place residence and recorded their voter ID details.
“BJP is distributing money after verifying voter cards in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal contests elections. Today, Parvesh Verma was caught red-handed handing out money at his official MP residence. Women from various slums in the New Delhi constituency were called there and given ₹1,100 in envelopes,” ANI quoted Atishi as saying.
Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal claimed that women in his constituency were being paid ₹1,100 to buy votes.
“During my visits to several areas in my New Delhi Vidhan Sabha constituency today, people told me that votes are being openly purchased for ₹1,100 each. However, they assured me they will accept the money but won’t vote for them,” Kejriwal posted on X.1
“According to sources, the BJP plans to announce Parvesh Verma as its chief ministerial candidate. Do the people of Delhi want someone like him as their CM?” the former Delhi Chief Minister alleged.
Parvesh Verma Responds to Allegations
Denying the AAP’s accusations, Parvesh Verma explained that the money distribution was part of a campaign by ‘Rashtriya Swabhiman,’ an NGO established by his late father and former Delhi Chief Minister, Sahib Singh Verma.
“I am addressing the hardships faced by women that Arvind Kejriwal failed to notice over the past 11 years. They were struggling, so I decided to provide them ₹1,100 per month. At least I am not distributing liquor like Arvind Kejriwal. I am proud to be helping people,” PTI quoted the former West Delhi MP as saying.
Verma stated that Rashtriya Swabhiman has a history of assisting communities, having redeveloped two villages in Gujarat affected by an earthquake and four villages in Odisha devastated by a cyclone.
The election for the 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled for February next year.
