Sunil Jakhar, President of the BJP Punjab, has called for an investigation by the Election Commission into alleged undemocratic practices by AAP leader Manish Sisodia following a controversial speech.
Chandigarh: In a notable development, Sunil Jakhar, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, has formally requested the Election Commission of India to take action against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia. This request follows the emergence of a viral video in which Sisodia purportedly advocates for winning elections “by hook or by crook,” a statement that Jakhar claims promotes undemocratic methods and violates Indian laws.
In his letter to the Election Commission, Jakhar highlighted that Sisodia made these remarks on the eve of Independence Day, a day symbolizing national unity. During his speech, Sisodia, who oversees AAP’s operations in Punjab, mentioned employing tactics such as ‘Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhooth, Sawaal, Jawaab, Ladai, Jhagda’ to secure victory in the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Jakhar condemned these remarks as a mockery of the values of peace, freedom, and integrity, indicating a clear intention by AAP to undermine the democratic process.
Jakhar elaborated on the implications of these terms in his correspondence:
“Saam” refers to the potential misuse of government machinery to pressure or coerce voters.
“Daam” indicates the use of money, bribery, and other enticements to buy votes, which constitutes a corrupt practice under election laws.
“Dand” warns of threats and punishment against those who refuse to support AAP, representing undue influence and coercion.
“Bhed” suggests a dangerous strategy to create communal, caste-based, or social divisions, potentially disrupting peace and harmony in Punjab.
“Sach” and “Jhooth” imply the deliberate use of lies and misinformation to mislead voters.
“Sawaal” and “Jawaab” represent the possibility of twisting facts and confusing voters during public discourse.
“Ladai” and “Jhagda” promote violence and physical confrontations to silence opposition and instill fear.
Jakhar asserted that these statements pose a threat to the peace, development, and prosperity of Punjab. He argued that they provide clear evidence of an intent to engage in corrupt practices, intimidate voters, incite hostility, and disturb public order. According to Jakhar, these actions constitute serious offenses under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including bribery under Section 123(1), undue influence under Section 123(2), and promoting enmity under Section 123(3A).
Additionally, Jakhar’s letter references offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as promoting enmity between various groups (Section 196), making statements against national unity (Section 197), and instilling fear through illegal threats (Section 353).
He emphasized that such behavior is classified as a corrupt practice, warranting disqualification from contesting elections under Section 8. Jakhar further noted that these actions violate the Constitution of India, undermining the principles of free and fair elections and the democratic rights of citizens as guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21.
In his appeal to the Election Commission, Jakhar urged immediate action, calling for a swift investigation and strict punitive measures against Sisodia and AAP for their overt declaration of winning elections through corrupt, unconstitutional, and illegal means. He has demanded that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against Sisodia’s statements, which he argues are tantamount to offenses under both the Representation of the People Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Furthermore, Jakhar has called for Sisodia’s disqualification from future elections in India and a prohibition on his ability to deliver political or public speeches, citing the serious threat his behavior poses to the integrity of elections, social unity, and the democratic framework.
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