AAP’s Somnath Bharti Challenges Delhi Lok Sabha Poll Result, Alleges Corruption

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd July. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has filed a petition with the Delhi High Court contesting the election result for the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, where he was defeated by BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj. Bharti’s plea, submitted on Saturday, alleges that Swaraj’s election was influenced by corrupt practices and seeks a review of the election records.

Bharti claims that Raaj Kumar Anand, who contested the election on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, was strategically positioned by Swaraj to undermine his campaign. Anand, previously an AAP minister, resigned abruptly in April 2024 and subsequently joined the BJP, which Bharti argues was a tactical move to split the vote.

The petition details that Anand faced pressure from investigating agencies, including the ED, CBI, and IT, leading to his resignation from AAP. Bharti alleges that Anand’s resignation and subsequent alignment with the BJP were part of a broader scheme to aid Swaraj’s electoral success.

Bharti’s petition also criticizes the BSP for allegedly setting up Anand to siphon votes from him and support Swaraj’s victory. The petition has been scheduled for a hearing on Monday before Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Swaraj secured 4,53,185 votes, defeating Bharti, who garnered 3,74,815 votes by a margin of over 78,000 votes.