Somnath Bharti moves Delhi HC challenging election of BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraja from the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on the grounds of alleged corrupt practices. Both Bharti and Swaraja contested from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency, but the BJP was declared as winner. While Bharti secured 3,74,815 votes, Swaraj got 4,53,185 votes as per the returning officer.

Justice Manmeet PS Arora is scheduled to hear the election petition on Monday, July 22.

In his plea, Bharti alleged that Swaraj and her election agent indulged in corrupt practices during the voting held in Delhi on May 25, 2024. He claimed that under Swaraj's guidance, BJP workers were distributing money and materials like saaris and suit-salwar to the residents.

"They [BJP workers] were working with the consent of respondent no 1 [Swaraj] and under her instruction. The AAP workers and the public at large asked them to stop distributing stuff to lure the voters to vote for respondent no. 1 but they did not pay heed to their request and went on distributing," the election petition filed by Bharti said, according to a Bar and Bench report.