Ahead of the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised concerns over the deployment of Gujarat Police in the National Capital Territory, alleging selective involvement by the Election Commission (EC). However, Delhi Police and top sources clarified the situation, emphasizing that security forces from multiple states and central agencies were deployed to ensure law and order during the polls.
According to official sources, 220 companies of security personnel, including forces from the CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, CISF, and RPF, were deployed in Delhi. Additionally, 70 companies of police personnel from states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh were also mobilized. Among them, seven to eight companies of Gujarat Police were included.
Delhi Police clarified that the deployment was part of the EC’s routine election preparations, which involved the use of 250 companies of security forces to manage tasks such as area domination, border checks, flying squads, and security at polling stations and counting centers. Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were also asked to contribute forces, but responses were delayed due to ongoing events like the farmers’ protest and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Kejriwal specifically questioned the presence of eight companies from Gujarat’s State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), which arrived in Delhi on January 13 as per EC orders. Commandant SRPF Bhachau, Tejas Patel, confirmed the deployment and stated it was standard practice for elections.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi criticized Kejriwal for his remarks, accusing him of spreading misinformation. “The EC requested forces from various states, not just Gujarat. Kejriwal ji, as a former Chief Minister, I am surprised at your lack of awareness regarding EC norms. Why single out Gujarat?” Sanghavi remarked in a statement.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also addressed the withdrawal of Punjab Police personnel from Kejriwal’s security detail, confirming it was done following directions from Delhi Police and the EC.
The polling for all 70 Delhi Assembly seats is scheduled for February 5, with the vote counting to take place on February 8.
Sources By Agencies
