New Delhi: AAP leader Somnath Bharti has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the election of BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on the grounds of alleged corrupt practices. Justice Manmeet PS Arora is scheduled to hear the petition on July 22.

The plea states that Bharti secured 3,74,815 votes while Swaraj received 4,53,185 votes, as per the returning officer. Both candidates contested from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency, with Swaraj being declared the winner. "The present election petition is being filed by the petitioner (Bharti) under Sections 80 and 81 of the Representation of the People Act, challenging the election of the respondent no.1 (Swaraj) as a Member of the House of the People from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency on the grounds of 'corrupt practices' indulged in by the respondent no.1, her election agent, and other persons with the consent of the respondent during the course of the Lok Sabha election 2024 held on May 25, 2024," the plea states.

The petition alleges that former AAP minister Raaj Kumar Anand, although a candidate set up by the Bahujan Samaj Party, was actually positioned by Swaraj's party to undermine Bharti. According to the plea, Anand was a minister in the Aam Aadmi Party's government in Delhi and actively campaigned for Bharti until April 9. However, on April 10, he resigned from AAP and contested the election on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket to aid Swaraj by dividing the vote share. Anand later joined the BJP on July 10, the plea claims.

Additionally, Bharti alleges that on the election day, May 5, 2024, he observed booth agents of Swaraj distributing pamphlets displaying her ballot number, photo, election symbol, and a photo of PM Narendra Modi. These pamphlets were shown to voters lined up at the booths, urging them to vote for Ballot no.1, which Bharti argues constitutes corrupt practices. This issue was reported to the returning officer, but no action was taken, according to the plea.

India Considers Rs 1,500 Cr Aid for Bhutan in New Economic Stimulus Program

Air India Offers Full Refunds and Vouchers After 30-Hour Flight Delay

THDC India Executive Jobs 2024 – 55 Positions Open for Applications