Delhi elections: AAP blames rivals using cash, liquor for votes

New Delhi: A day before Delhi goes to vote, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released a video that shows political parties distributing alcohol to prospective voters, raising questions on money, alcohol and muscle power being used to influence the voters.

On the eve of the Battle for Delhi, the party uploaded a video on Monday which was shot at Ambedkar Tikona Park in Badli Gaon. The AAP has claimed that the liquor bottles in the video were meant for distribution among voters by other political parties.

The AAP which is worried about the lure of liquor and the effect it might have on voters has complained to the Election Commission on the issue and is keeping a close watch on the use of money power.

"AAP volunteers have been stationed in all those places with whatever equipments they require to so that we can ensure that no vote can be bought." AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said.

While AAP's chief ministerial candidate Arvind Kejriwal has complained to the Election Commission, the case of money power being used is not a one-off case.

Ever since the polling dates were announced, the Delhi Election Commission has seized 1,642 litre of country liquor, 7,568 one-litre bottles of alcohol, 2,651 half-litre bottles of alcohol and over 1 lakh quarter litre bottles of alcohol.

Furthermore, according to data released by the Delhi EC, 1632 weapons have been confiscated and over rupees 1 crore 31 lakh has been seized in cash.In addition, the EC and the Delhi police seized 2 boxes and 3 sacks of alcohol bottles in New Delhi's Sarai Rohilla area.

The Delhi police has also set up several check posts across the city specially at the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana borders. "Our flying squads, surveillance teams and trap teams have laid out a trap in the vulnerable areas of the city. The areas are under continuous scrutiny," Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, Vijay Dev said.

It's the same story before every election with money, alcohol and muscle power being used to win votes. Most cases do not progress beyond police raids and crackdowns leaving more questions than answers at the end of the day.