‘Pressure by AAP leaders, CM seeking meeting’: New Delhi DEO writes to Chief Electoral Officer

New Delhi DEO raises concerns over AAP pressure, seeks guidance from Chief Electoral Officer amid growing tensions.

The New Delhi District Election Officer (DEO), S.K. Singh, has written to the Chief Electoral Officer, R. Alice Vaz, highlighting “concerns pertaining to the independent functioning” due to “pressure exerted by AAP”.

In a letter dated January 4, the DEO detailed multiple visits by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, in December and earlier this month.

“Representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party have been frequently visiting my office and asking [me] for details which are not mandated to be shared as per ECI guidelines,” read the letter.

The DEO claimed to have received a call from Chief Minister Atishi seeking a meeting on January 4 “without a specified agenda” and sought from Ms. Vaz “guidance about whether I am allowed to attend meetings called by the ruling govt. without any prior meeting agenda”.

The official raised similar concerns in a separate letter to the CM.

Adding to the concerns, the New Delhi Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Nishant Bodh, sought police intervention to maintain law and order at the DEO’s office. In a letter to the DCP (New Delhi), Mr. Bodh mentioned “growing tensions” and “incidents of ruckus” in the office due to “frequent visits by political representatives”.