New Delhi: Political controversy erupted in Delhi ahead of the upcoming assembly polls after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal's alleged remarks on the Purvanchali people. Notably, the Purvanachal region consists of the parts of UP and Bihar. Kejriwal reportedly made these remarks while interacting with the media after he along with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi met the Election Commission on Thursday.

Kejriwal remarked that they (BJP) are bringing people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to create fake votes. Kejriwal's comments drew flak from the BJP and the Congress leaders. On Friday, BJP workers even protested near Kejriwal's house.

Hundreds of protesters were seen raising slogans against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, with some attempting to breach the security barricade near Kejriwal's residence. The police used water cannons to prevent the protesters from breaching security.

The former Delhi CM was seen in a damage control mode today highlighting the work done by his party to improve the living conditions of the unauthorised colonies which are home to many people of this community. Kejriwal also blamed the BJP for doing nothing to improve the condition of Puravanchali people.

Importance of Purvanchali Voters In Delhi Politics:

According to reports, there are around 40 Lakh Purvanchali voters in Delhi, which amounts to 25 per cent of the total voters in the national capital territory. They are dominant in 17 to 20 assembly seats in Delhi and can influence the outcome of the polls. This made Kejriwal rush to the damage control mode. The BJP and the Congress are trying to get the political advantage of Kejriwal's remarks. Notably, the saffron party has a special Purvanchal Morcha in Delhi as a separate wing of the party.

The significance of Purvanchali voters living mostly in unauthorised colonies in Delhi can also be gauged from the fact that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to their issues during his recent election rally. PM Modi had said that while the Central government was holding camps to give ownership rights to residents of unauthorised colonies, reported IANS. The Prime Minister further alleged that the AAP had failed to provide even basic services like roads and water in these areas.

Key seats with Purvanchali voters include Burari, Laxmi Nagar, Dwarka, etc. The AAP government has not only declared Chhath a holiday in Delhi but also has been making special arrangements for the religious event by building special ghats near the Yamuna River. It has also provided artificial water ponds in the unauthorised colonies. The BJP has also been actively engaging with the community through its Purvanchal Morcha. Notably, Chhath is a ritual observed by Purvanchalis.