On Kumar Vishwas's Arvind Kejriwal Attack, A U-Turn 2 Days Before Voting

The poll body restrained the media yesterday from broadcasting the video where Kumar Vishwas, without naming Mr Kejriwal, accused him of wanting to the Chef Minister of Punjab or Prime Minister of an Independent nation (Khalistan)

The Election Commission removed its bar on broadcasting the explosive remarks of Kumar Vishwas against Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, hours after leaders from both sides of the political divide -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Congress's Rahul Gandhi -- referred to the matter and attacked the Delhi Chief Minister.The poll body restrained the media on Wednesday from broadcasting the video where Kumar Vishwas, without naming Mr Kejriwal, accused him of wanting to the Chef Minister of Punjab or Prime Minister of an Independent nation (Khalistan).

In the video, which was shared by the BJP, he is heard recounting a conversation, and saying, "One day, he (Mr Kejriwal) told me he would either become CM (of Punjab) or first PM of an independent nation (Khalistan)… he wants power at any cost," he is heard saying.The Election Commission restrained the media from broadcasting the interview, given to news agency ANI, calling the comments "provocative, communally divisive and inflammatory... maliciously manufactured and circulating in collusion with disruptive elements with a view to defame Arvind Kejriwal".

The video, the poll body said, was meant to promote ill will and hostility between different communities and create "unrest and disharmony" in Punjab.

Earlier today, at a rally in Punjab, PM Modi had referred to Kumar Vishwas's remarks, alleging that Mr Kejriwal and his party have the "same agenda" as Pakistan -- "to break India... to join hands with separatists to get power".