Row over AAP meeting inside mosque, BJP sees 'minority appeasement', EC seeks answers

A row emerged over Aam Aadmi Party's May 4 meeting at a banquet hall in Matia Mahal with the BJP filing a complaint with the Election Commission against AAP leaders and MLA Amanatullah Khan for allegedly hosting meetings inside mosques to seek votes. Following the BJP's complaint, the Election Commission had asked the banquet hall to file its response for holding the meeting without taking prior permission. In his response, the owner of the banquet hall, where AAP leaders apparently held a meeting, tol the poll body that the session was organised by leader of a local outfit.

Ealier in his complaint, the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta had claimed that a meeting was held at a banquet hall in Lal Miyan on May 4 at 9pm. A flying squad subsequently reached the spot and recorded videos of the meeting, following which the returning officer issued a show-cause notice to the banquet hall owner.

In his reply, the owner said the meeting was organised by a local leader, whome the commission has now served a show-cause notice seeking to know why the permission was not taken for the meeting and the reason behind AAP leader's presence.

Poll officials have also directed Chandni Mahal police station to file an FIR for the use of loudspeakers even after 10 pm. The Supreme Court has banned the use of any sound amplifier at night (between 10 pm and 6am).

"If it is found the event was organised by the Aam Aadmi Party, the expenditure of the meeting will be added to the poll expenditure of the party," the officials said.

Last week, the BJP had filed a separate complaint before the Election Commission against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly misusing Delhi Waqf Board funds for "minority appeasement" politics.