AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal addresses a rally in Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal raised the hackles of both the BJP and the Congress today by hinting that both parties have been luring voters with bribes. (
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At a rally in Delhi's Uttam Nagar, Mr Kejriwal told the people that they should take bribes from both Congress and the BJP, but vote only for his party.
"People from both BJP and the Congress will come to offer money... If someone does not bribe you, go and ask them in their office... Accept the money from both, but vote only for the broom," Mr Kejriwal reportedly said at the rally in West Delhi. (
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"What is he trying to say? Is he saying people only voted for him because of inducement? People gave him a decent mandate last time," said Mr Kejriwal's former colleague Shazia Ilmi, who quit AAP and recently joined the BJP. "It's an insult to the people who voted," she added. (
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The Congress, too, said Mr Kejriwal's words were an insult to Delhiites. "He is portraying the people of Delhi in such a manner... We demand that Kejriwal apologise," said Congress leader PC Chacko.
Promising to take up the matter with the Election Commission, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken said, "It is illegal to make such a statement. It is a gross violation of the code of conduct."
Elaborating on the matter of bribes, Mr Kejriwal, said, "If we can stop bribery in just 49 days, couldn't the BJP have done it in seven months?" (
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The AAP chief has already charged the BJP with corruption. Last week, he created a controversy, saying in a clear conflict of interest, BJP leaders have ties with power discoms and due to that the price of electricity was increasing in Delhi. (
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Claiming Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay owns a company that supplies electricity meters to the discom BSES, he said, "Services contract (of Mr Upadhyay) has been proven. Is there a supply contract too?" Mr Upadhyay has already sent a legal notice to Mr Kejriwal.