In a move that may once again rattle Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, and his party ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena ordered has ordered a high-level inquiry into the AAP led Delhi government’s proposed Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana in which AAP’s poll promise of Rs 2,100 to women if elected. The Lieutenant Governor also ordered that the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government may bring the matter to the knowledge of the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the chief electoral office given that such canvassing is happening ahead of the election.

Saxena also issued instructions to investigate the alleged presence of intelligence officials from Punjab outside Dikshit’s residence with the objective of “intimidating” him and the alleged transfer of cash, in crores, from various parts of Punjab to Delhi with the Delhi Assembly elections around the corner. The Lieutenant Governor’s order came in the wake of a representation from a former East Delhi Congress MP and the party’s proposed opponent against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, who made serious allegations against the AAP-led Delhi government and Kejriwal.

“This has reference to representation dated 25.12.2024 received from Sh. Sandeep Dikshit… he has alleged that the Chief Minister of Delhi and Sh Arvind Kejriwal have been announcing that Delhi Government is going to give every female in Delhi (above the age of 18 years) an amount of Rs 1000 per month… If AAP is elected back in the 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections, they will raise the amount to Rs 2100…” the communication from the LG’s Principal Secretary to Chief Secretary Dharmendra and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora stated.

The communiqué read, “Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has desired the Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people.”

“Accordingly, Further, Commissioner of Police may direct the field officers to take action as per law against the person who is breaching the privacy of gullible citizens by collecting their personal details in garb of giving benefits. DCP’s may be advised to take action against private individuals organizing camps for fraudulent enrollment of Government Schemes,” the Lieutenant Governor’s office said.

Meanwhile, the AAP , in response, has alleged that the inquiry came not from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor but from the “office” of BJP leader Amit Shah. Addressing a press conference, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal also rubbished an order by LG for enquiry into collection of details of women through registration under the scheme as “fake,” saying the monetary promise was a poll announcement.

“We announced Rs 2,100 per month to all eligible women in Delhi under Mahila Samman Yojna and free treatment of the senior citizens under Sanjeevani Yojna, after forming a government in Delhi. What are they going to enquire?” Kejriwal said. The AAP national convenor alleged that the BJP was trying the government’s schemes just so that it could have a chance at defeating it in the February election.The party claimed that more than 22 lakh women were already registered for the scheme.

The Lieutenant Governor’s secretariat stated the Lieutenant Governor has noted that the Women and Child department, Delhi government has already clarified that it will launch a digital portal for collection of forms as and when scheme is notified. The department has further advised people not to fill forms being given by an unauthorised person. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor’s office has directed the Police Commissioner to direct the field officers to take action as per law against the persons who are breaching the privacy of gullible citizens by collecting their personal details in garb of giving benefits.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)’s may be advised to take action against private individuals organising camps for fraudulent enrolment of government schemes. The Women and Child Development Department earlier this week published a public notice in newspapers saying it would launch a digital portal for the collection of forms as and when the scheme is notified. The department advised people not to fill out forms handed to them by unauthorised persons.

In regard to Dikshit’s allegations that the AAP government in Punjab was “transferring cash (in crores) from various locations in Punjab to Delhi”, Saxena requested DGP Punjab and the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan to be vigilant about “private cars from Punjab with Punjab Police escorts” being sent to Delhi through their states.

“Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has noted that the elections to Delhi Legislative Assembly are likely to be conducted shortly and (the) possibility of using such illegal money in the ensuing election to influence the voters of Delhi cannot be ruled out,” the communication to the Delhi chief secretary and police commissioner stated.

The use of “money power” in elections, Saxena also noted, was not only an offence under Sections 170 and 171 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, but also an impediment to free and fair elections.

Furthermore, Lt Governor directed the police commissioner to investigate surveillance allegations made by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and submit a comprehensive report within three days. Dikshit, who has been fielded against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi constituency, met Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday and made serious allegations against the AAP as ties between the two parties, part of the INDIA Bloc, hit rock bottom ahead of the elections.

In his complaint, Dikshit alleged that the Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal have been announcing that Delhi Government is going to give every female in Delhi (above the age of 18 years) an amount of Rs 2100 per month if elected. Further, Dikshit has informed that they are going door to door making women sign some forms. Dikshit has requested that in view of the clarification submitted by the Women and Child development department, GNCTD, it is clear that this is a fraud being perpetrated by the AAP and has requested to institute a high level inquiry in the matter. Dikshit also made allegations on surveillance by Punjab’s intelligence officials and flow of cash from Punjab to Delhi by AAP.