NEW DELHI, February 6: The South Delhi election office of the BJP -- which is managing the campaign of Sushma Swaraj -- claimed before the police that Congress candidate Ajay Maken and his supporters are planning to ``stage-manage violent incidents in their own offices and at public meetings to earn sympathy votes''.On the other hand, the South District Congress dismissed the BJP claim as a sign of panic which has resulted from Ajay Maken's fast-gaining popularity among the electorate. ``In fact, the BJP may resort to violence and blame it on our party,'' a Congress leader said.
A copy of the BJP letter which was sent to the returning officer contends: ``This sort of gimmickry (the violence) is not new to the Congress party. They have been resorting to such acts right from the DUSU to the Parliamentary elections.''
The police have taken cognisance of the complaint and have started investigations. But they feel that the BJP's claims could be far-fetched, something which is even admitted by some BJPsupporters.
Some of them, requesting anonymity, say that the Sikh vote factor is worrying senior leaders. ``Ajay could just run away with a major chunk. If this happens it could be crucial for Sushma's victory.''
Sushma's campaign alongwith Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal has also sent wrong signals to the many BJP men. Bansi Lal's association with several controversial schemes launched by the late Sanjay Gandhi, had earned the ire of the BJP for many years.
That the party is using him to garner Jat votes for Swaraj has disappointed several BJP leaders. It has also become an issue for Ajay Maken and the Congress.
The BJP is also believed to be desperately looking for skeletons in Maken's cupboard to antagonise his appeal among the youth.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
