After the Election Commission of India announced the date for 2024 Elections, the ruling party is on a systematic campaign to instill fear amongst citizens owing allegiance to opposition political parties. The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi demonstrates this. The Modi Government used the services of the police and para- military; investigative agencies; judiciary – trial court, high court, Supreme Court; corporate media to send a political message to voters who are forced to see 24×7 how their popular leader gets arrested and paraded like a common criminal. This has a chilling effect on voters who may decide not to come out of their houses on the voting day; or may be forced to vote for the BJP. The undecided voter may swing towards BJP out of fear; this constitutes voter suppression and intimidation.
With thousands of AAP supporters out on the streets, the high-handedness of law- enforcing agencies is being show-cased with negative connotations for AAP (a constituent of INDIA block), its leaders and its pro-people policies. Disinformation – through spread of trumped-up charges – against an opposition leader constitutes election subversion.
[P. S. Sahni is a member of PIL Watch Group.
Blog: pilwatchgroup.blogspot.com]
