The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that a personal assistant (PA) to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena was caught with Rs 5 lakh in Girikhand Nagar, purportedly meant to be distributed among voters in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Amit Malviya, BJP’s In-charge of the National Information & Technology Department, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the incident, claiming that a larger conspiracy was underway to influence voters in the Kalkaji constituency.

According to Malviya, an FIR has been lodged, and the authorities are investigating the matter. The BJP has described the incident as a deliberate attempt to sway voter sentiment ahead of crucial elections set to take place the following day.

“Delhi CM Atishi Marlena’s PA caught with Rs 5 lakh in Girikhand Nagar. FIR lodged. A conspiracy is being hatched to buy voters in Kalkaji,” Malviya wrote on X.

This claim surfaced just hours before polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly was set to begin, scheduled for February 5, 2025. Voting is expected to continue until 7 p.m., and results will be counted on February 8.

In another development, former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal faced additional controversy, as an FIR was filed against him in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The charges were linked to his remarks regarding the “poisoning” of the Yamuna river, a statement that sparked significant backlash.

Earlier, during an interview with IANS, Anna Hazare, a veteran social activist and former associate of Kejriwal, voiced strong criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. Hazare, who once worked alongside Kejriwal in the anti-corruption movement, claimed that Kejriwal had strayed from his original ideals after gaining power. Hazare remarked, “Initially, Arvind was with me, but as soon as power and money clouded his thoughts, things changed.” Hazare explained that Kejriwal’s pivot toward business interests, including his involvement in the liquor trade, led to their falling out.

When asked about Kejriwal’s and his deputy Manish Sisodia’s legal troubles, Hazare firmly stated, “Those who commit bad deeds will have to go to jail. Our country operates according to the law.”

As Delhi prepares to vote for its 70-member legislative assembly, the ruling AAP faces a fierce challenge from the BJP, which is attempting to regain control of the national capital. The AAP, which has been in power for two consecutive terms, is seeking a third straight victory. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which failed to make a substantial impact in previous elections, is hoping to improve its standing in the upcoming race.

This election promises to be a tense and closely contested battle, with issues like governance, corruption, and electoral integrity taking center stage. The developments surrounding the alleged bribery attempt have added another layer of controversy just days before voters cast their ballots.

During a recent gathering at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a tragic stampede occurred resulting in 30 deaths and over 60 injuries as attendees surged past barriers for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite the calamity, BJP MP and actor Hema Malini downplayed the severity of the incident, describing it as “not a very big incident” and suggesting that media reports were exaggerating the tragedy.

Her comments were made shortly after she herself participated in the event, benefiting from VIP treatment and security that critics argue was at the expense of general safety measures for the public. This stance has led to a sharp rebuke from Tariq Anwar, a Congress MP, who criticized Malini for her lack of empathy and awareness of the chaos experienced by ordinary attendees.

Opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party led by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, have been vocal in their condemnation of the state government’s handling of the event and the subsequent response to the tragedy. They demand accountability and transparency regarding the incident details, which they claim are being obscured by the state authorities.

The controversy extends to accusations from SP MP Jaya Bachchan, who alleged that bodies of the deceased were disposed of in the Ganges, further polluting the river. This claim, while denied by the BJP, has added fuel to the political fire surrounding the event, with demands for a verified list of casualties and an impartial investigation into the disaster management at the Kumbh Mela.

As the debate rages on, the BJP defends its administration of the event, claiming extensive funds were allocated for water management and safety measures. However, the public outcry and political uproar continue to grow as the nation grapples with the repercussions of the tragedy and the insensitive remarks made by a prominent political figure.

The political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh sizzled as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of disrespecting the Maha Kumbh and the religious sentiments of the Indian people. This sharp rebuke, delivered during a public rally in Milkipur ahead of crucial by-elections, followed Yadav’s criticism of the state government holding a cabinet meeting at the Kumbh Mela site.

Adityanath juxtaposed the global acclaim for the Maha Kumbh with Yadav’s condemnation, portraying it as a symptom of the Samajwadi Party’s alleged long-standing opposition to significant religious symbols such as the Ram Mandir and Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

He further escalated his attack, painting the Samajwadi Party as being mired in internal property disputes and insinuating connections to criminal elements, thereby attempting to discredit Yadav’s criticisms as coming from a morally compromised position.

Yadav’s initial criticism focused on the perceived impropriety of holding a cabinet meeting within the sacred space of the Kumbh Mela. He argued that the government was inappropriately using a religious event for political purposes, a charge that Adityanath vehemently rejected.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet meeting itself was significant. All 54 ministers attended, approving numerous development schemes designed to boost Prayagraj and the surrounding region.

A key announcement involved extending the Ganga Expressway, a crucial infrastructure project designed to connect Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Kashi, Chandauli, and ultimately, the Purvanchal Expressway in Ghazipur. This ambitious project, Adityanath claimed, would significantly contribute to sustainable development in the region.

Logistical adjustments were made to minimize disruption to the Kumbh Mela pilgrims. The cabinet meeting’s venue was shifted from the Mela Authority Auditorium to the Triveni Sankul in Arail to avoid inconveniencing devotees and managing the security arrangements for the VIP attendees.

The day concluded with Adityanath and his entire cabinet participating in the Kumbh Mela’s sacred rituals, taking a ceremonial dip in the Triveni Sangam. This highly publicized event, mirroring a similar participation in 2019, served as a powerful visual counterpoint to Yadav’s earlier criticism. The event simultaneously showcased the government’s commitment to religious traditions while promoting its developmental agenda.

The clash between Adityanath and Yadav underscores the deep political divisions and the strategic use of religious symbolism in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. The Maha Kumbh, a significant religious event, became a battleground for political point-scoring, highlighting the complex interplay between religion and politics in the state.