Chandigarh: In a significant development, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sunil Jakhar, has written a letter to the Election Commission demanding action against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia over a viral video. Jakhar alleges that in the video, the AAP leader advocates winning elections “by hook or by crook,” promoting undemocratic methods and violating Indian laws.
In his letter, Jakhar stated that on the eve of Independence Day, a day of national unity, Manish Sisodia, the AAP in-charge for Punjab, delivered a speech where he mentioned using ‘Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhooth, Sawaal, Jawaab, Ladai, Jhagda’ to win the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Jakhar said these remarks mock the values of peace, freedom, and integrity and clearly indicate the AAP’s intention to undermine the democratic process.
Jakhar interpreted these terms in his letter, saying:
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Saam: Refers to the misuse of government machinery to pressure or coerce voters.
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Daam: Clearly indicates the use of money, bribery, and enticements to buy votes, which is a corrupt practice under election laws.
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Dand: Warns of punishment and threats against those who refuse to support the AAP, amounting to undue influence and coercion.
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Bhed: Points to a dangerous plan to create communal, caste-based, or social divisions to disrupt peace and harmony in Punjab.
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Sach and Jhooth: Suggest the deliberate use of lies, propaganda, and misinformation to mislead voters.
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Sawaal and Jawaab: Represent the potential to twist facts and confuse voters during public discourse.
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Ladai and Jhagda: Directly promote violence, quarrels, and physical confrontation to silence opponents and create a climate of fear.
The BJP president said these statements threaten the peace, development, and prosperity of Punjab. They provide evidence of a clear intent to engage in corrupt practices, intimidate voters, incite hostility, and disturb public peace. Jakhar said these acts constitute serious offenses under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including:
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Bribery under Section 123(1).
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Undue influence under Section 123(2).
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Promoting enmity under Section 123(3A).
Furthermore, the letter cites offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
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Promoting enmity between various groups (Section 196).
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Statements against national unity (Section 197).
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Illegal threats and instilling fear (Section 353).
Jakhar noted that such behavior is considered a corrupt practice and should lead to disqualification from contesting elections under Section 8. He added that these actions also violate the Constitution of India, undermining the principles of free and fair elections and the democratic rights of citizens guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21.
Jakhar has appealed to the Election Commission to take immediate cognizance of the matter, initiate a swift investigation, and take strict punitive and legal action against Manish Sisodia and the AAP, Punjab, for their open declaration of winning elections through corrupt, unconstitutional, and illegal means. He has demanded that an FIR be filed against Sisodia’s statements, which are equivalent to offenses under the Representation of the People Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He has also asked that Sisodia be disqualified from contesting any future elections in India and be barred from giving political or public speeches, as his behavior and statements pose a serious threat to the sanctity of elections, social unity, and the democratic framework.
