THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 5: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday served Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi a show-cause notice, seeking that she substantiate her claim that the BJP approached her about joining the party.
Against her allegation that the party approached her through a close associate and invited her to join, the BJP petitioned the commission previously.
Atishi has been asked to provide a response by noon on Monday.
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ECI seeks evidence
The Election Commission’s notice highlighted that being a minister in the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and a leader of a national party, her statements in public forums significantly influence the campaign discourse as voters tend to believe what their leaders say.
“…you are a minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and leader of a national party. The electors tend to believe whatever is being said from public forum by their leaders and in that sense the statements made by them affect the campaign discourse,” the ECI notice stated.
The ECI stated that it expected Atishi’s remarks to have a “factual foundation” and that, given that the validity of the statements has been questioned, she should be able to support them with evidence.
