Delhi LG Orders Inquiry Into Mahila Samman Yojana, Kejriwal Says BJP Is 'Frustrated'

Delhi L-G has ordered an investigation into allegations of vote-buying under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, where the AAP promised women voters Rs 2,100 per month.

Delhi Cash-For-Vote Scam: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has directed the Chief Secretary to investigate the allegations related to the registrations under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana. The AAP is conducting the registration drive after promising Delhi's women voters Rs 2,100 per month.

Also, a report has been sought in three days on the allegations of "surveillance" made by Sandeep Dixit. The L-G has asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to investigate if any "unauthorised person" is making Delhi women fill forms for the proposed Rs 2,100 per month.

Reacting to the inquiry former Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal said: "The BJP is upset with the Mahila Samman and Sanjeevani schemes as it is losing the Delhi elections."

Principal Secretary of Delhi LG wrote to the Chief Secretary of Delhi and Commissioner of Police regarding announcements made by AAP to give every woman in Delhi (above the age of 18) an amount of Rs. 1,000 per month, and enhancement of the amount to Rs 2m100 per month, if elected back in the 2025 Delhi Vidhan Sabha election.

"LG has desired that Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people. Further, the Commissioner of Police may 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," reads the letter.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Kejriwal said: "The BJP is afraid of losing elections. L-G has ordered an inquiry, but I fail to understand what the inquiry is even about. We said that the benefits will be given after the elections. What wrong did we do?"

He further said: "We are not distributing money. We are clearly saying that we shall not give money before elections. Then what is the investigation about? BJP's leader is distributing money openly. They are trying to buy votes."

He said that the BJP doesn't want any welfare schemes in Delhi. "If registration is stopped, people will answer them with votes."

"This is clearly a BJP plot. Why is the L-G not stopping those who are openly distributing cash," Kejriwal said referring to the incident of BJP leader Parvesh Verma allegedly asking women to vote for the saffron party in lieu of the money.