For the first time in the history of independent India, the Election Commission is reducing the 30 day objection period to 7 days to make special changes for the registration of a special political party – Raghav Chadha
Despite imposition of the code of conduct EC is going to register this political party just 25 days before the election- Raghav Chadha
The biggest question is what was the need to change the laws overnight to register a particular political party- Raghav Chadha
The political party that will be registered should make their relations with the BJP and Amit Shah clear in front of the people of the country- Raghav Chadha
BJP at first thought they can stop Aam Aadmi Party using Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Amarinder Singh; but Aam Aadmi Party did not stop, so they are registering a new party- Raghav Chadha
NEW DELHI/PUNJAB
No party in the history of India has made a mockery of the government machinery like the BJP has. It started with their misuse of the Police, the CBI and the ED among other agencies and has now crossed all heights to the Election Commission itself. AAP National Spokesperson and MLA Shri Raghav Chadha stated — In order to prevent the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, the Election Commission is making major changes in the process of registration of the political parties under the pressure of the BJP. For the first time in the history of independent India, the Election Commission is reducing the 30 day objection period to 7 days to make special changes for the registration of a special political party. Despite the imposition of the code of conduct, the EC is going to register this political party just 25 days before the election. The biggest question is what was the need to change the laws overnight to register a particular political party. The political party that will be registered should make their relations with the BJP and Amit Shah clear in front of the people of the country. BJP at first thought they can stop the Aam Aadmi Party using Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Amarinder Singh; but the Aam Aadmi Party did not stop, so they are registering a new party.
AAP Punjab Co-Incharge and MLA Shri Raghav Chadha said, “It is for the first time in India’s history that the Election Commission of India, the body responsible for upholding our democracy by conducting free and fair elections, is providing special treatment by bringing about two major changes in the registration process of a political party. This is the same election commission whose sole responsibility is to establish a fair and democratically elected government in our country, a body which we consider to be a crucial pillar of Indian democracy. I will first elaborate on the two changes that the EC is introducing and later go into the politics and powerplay of the matter.”
He elaborated, “The two changes that Election Commission of India is bringing about includes: one, there is a month-long objection period prior to the registration of any political party in India, during which people can raise their grievances and objections against the establishment of said political party to the Election Commission. This period lasts 30 days. However, giving special treatment this time, the Election Commission has shortened this objection period to a mere 7 days, reducing it by more than one-third of the original timeframe, to accelerate the registration of a special party. The second major change is that after the Model Code of Conduct has been imposed and just 25-27 days prior to the elections being held, the EC is registering a new political party. This is the first time in the history of independent India that we are witnessing that after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, and after the official election announcement, that the Election Commission is going to register a new political party. These are the two major amendments that the Election Commission of India has made in the registration process, giving special treatment for the establishment of a new political party.”
Questioning the motives behind the new changes in the EC’s registration process, He stated, “Several questions arise in light of these changes, that the Aam Aadmi Party would like to direct at the Election Commission as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party, especially Amit Shah. First, which party is it that the BJP wants to introduce into Indian politics for the upcoming election season in February – which is this party that these special arrangements are being made for? Second, what was the need to completely amend long standing registration rules overnight – why was the Election Commission willing to make such vast efforts just to incorporate a special political party? Third big question that arises is which existing political party stands to lose the most once this new and special political party is established? And fourth, which existing political party stands to gain the most once this new party is registered. Who are the people and what agenda do they have in order to cut votes for their opposition by introducing a new political party altogether and hence seek to benefit from this? Our fifth and final question is that if this political party does get registered, then shouldn’t the people of India question and demand them to make their relations with the BJP and Amit Shah public? For a political group which is getting special treatment in order to be legitimised by the Election Commission must stand to answer such questions about their affiliations with the Bharatiya Janata Party. These 5 major questions are being raised by the Aam Aadmi Party today.”
Shri Raghav Chadha continued, “Everyone and especially the media, which has witnessed the politics in Punjab, can foresee the extent to which the BJP will go in order to prevent the Aam Aadmi Party from coming to power in Punjab. The BJP first attempted to hold AAP back by pushing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) but it clearly failed to stop the Aam Aadmi Party. Then it thought it would push the Congress forward to disrupt AAP’s progress. Again, this tactic of theirs failed. Next, the BJP got together with Captain Amarinder Singh to build their own alliance, which yet again is inept in hindering the Aam Aadmi Party’s path. So now, out of last minute desperation, the BJP is trying to bring about a new political formation in the state of Punjab by giving various facilitations and concessions, so that the new party gets registered even after the announcement of elections.”
He concluded, “The Aam Aadmi Party is also a fairly new party – we remember how tedious the process was for our registration several years ago. We filled applications, made required corrections, fixed any and all problems, and waited through the 30 day objection or notice period – it took weeks for our registration to get finalised. But now, even after the Model Code of Conduct has been imposed and the official election announcement has been made, the entire registration process has been shortened and made convenient just for a special political formation. These are the Aam Aadmi Party’s direct allegations and 5 crucial questions directed towards the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission. Both organisations must come forward and give proper answers to our questions.”