Arvind Kejriwal on Chandigarh poll controversy: 'BJP’s Vessel of Sin is Full'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following their victory in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, which were marred by controversy. Kejriwal, addressing an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protest over alleged cheating in the election, expressed concerns about the BJP's actions, stating, "If BJP can rig Chandigarh mayoral polls, imagine what it can do in assembly, LS elections."

"We used to listen that BJP wins elections by stealing votes, rigging EVMs, but we never got any evidence of it. The Chandigarh Mayoral elections show that their (BJP's) vessel of sins was full to the brim," he added.

चंडीगढ़ मेयर चुनाव में बीजेपी ने वोटों की चोरी की। ये लोग देश के लोकतंत्र के लिए ख़तरा हैं। जनतंत्र और देश को बचाने के लिए अगर सड़कों पर भी उतरना पड़ा तो हम उतरेंगे। https://t.co/AIpL6X47xH

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 2, 2024

The controversy erupted when the presiding officer declared eight votes of AAP and Congress councillors invalid, leading to BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar's victory. The winning candidate secured 16 votes against AAP's Kuldeep Kumar's 12, with eight votes declared invalid.

The AAP and Congress, who contested as partners under the INDIA bloc, accused presiding officer Anil Masih of manipulating ballots during the counting process. While the AAP staged protests over the Chandigarh poll results, the BJP reciprocated by protesting against Kejriwal in the national capital, alleging corruption in the Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal.