Delhi Elections 2025 LIVE Updates: Delhi Police seizes ‘Punjab govt’ car with liquor, cash and AAP pamphlets; BJP slams

AIMIM MP and party's chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Aam Aadmi Party, saying that the latter's leaders go to jail and come out as if "they had gone to their in-laws," referencing the investigation into the national capital's now scrapped excise policy.

Owaisi mentioned multiple AAP leaders such as Sateyndra Jain, Manish Sisodia, Arvind Kejriwal and another MLA for getting bail in the investigations for the excise policy. He compared it to how AIMIM candidate Shifa Ur Rahman had not yet gotten "justice," unlike the AAP leaders.

"I am still trying to understand, the Chief Minister of Delhi goes to jail, he faces serious IPC charges, PMLA is also imposed on him, Sisodia is also accused of alcohol scam, Jain is also accused, the current MLA of AAP from Okhla, he too has been put in jail. They go to jail and come out as if someone has gone to their in-laws' house...What is the reason that they get justice but our AIMIM candidate Shifa Ur Rahman does not get justice?" Owaisi said during a public meeting on Wednesday.

Responding to the Election Commission’s notice seeking “evidence” to support his allegation that the BJP govt in Haryana was “poisoning” Delhi’s water supply in the run-up to the Feb 5 polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has said that the raw water received from the upper riparian state had been “highly contaminated and (is) extremely poisonous” for human health.

This, he said, was also proved by a letter written by the DJB CEO to the chief secretary of the capital in which she had admitted that the level of ammonia in the Yamuna water was 6.5ppm while DJB water treatment plants were designed to treat up to 1pm.

Late Wednesday night, EC sources said they were examining the reply but pointed out that it seems to have glossed over the central issue of substantiating the charge of “poisoning” of the water.

BJP candidate from Kalkaji assembly constituency, Ramesh Bidhuri says, "The AAP is in power in Punjab and bundles of notes and liquor have been recovered from the vehicle...Arvind Kejriwal has been exposed in the run-up to the Delhi elections and he wants to buy the democratic rights of the public. The public of Delhi will give a befitting reply to them"

Police have claimed to have seized Rs 8 lakh cash, liquor bottles and AAP election campaign material from a vehicle bearing a Punjab registration number, near Punjab Bhavan in the New Delhi constituency, on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team searched the vehicle parked on Copernicus Marg. "The vehicle, which displayed 'Punjab Sarkar' markings and Punjab registration plates, contained cash worth several lakhs of rupees, multiple bottles of liquor, and AAP campaign pamphlets," DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said. Police later confirmed that the cash found in the car totalled Rs 8 lakh.

A Delhi court on Wednesday granted five days’ custody parole to Shafi-Ur-Rehman, accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, for campaigning in the Delhi assembly elections as the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate from Okhla.

Additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai allowed Rehman’s release from Jan 30 to Feb 3, for 12 hours a day, under certain conditions. He would have to deposit around Rs 2.07 lakh for his security expenditure. In custody parole, a prisoner is escorted by armed police.

The court, taking note of the fact that Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a six-day parole to former AAP councillor and co-accused Tahir Hussain to campaign, said, “Although the present case and the case in which the co-accused Mohammad Tahir Hussain was granted custody parole by Supreme Court are altogether different, still when the Supreme Court has declined interim bail of the co-accused and granted custody parole, this court should also follow the same.”

Rehman, with 17 others, was booked under UAPA and IPC provisions in the case. Rehman’s advocate Bilal Anwar said Rehman was granted interim bail twice and followed the conditions set by the court.

Amidst tight security and the emotions of a family reunion, the streets of Mustafabad in northeast Delhi witnessed a unique campaign trail on Wednesday. Tahir Hussain, on custody parole for his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots, walked through his old constituency surrounded by policemen. Hussain’s first public appearance in five years drew crowds that packed the neighbourhood’s narrow lanes amid open gutters, piles of rubbish and a strong stench.

As Hussain made his way through the crowd, a group of police stood in front while another five to six formed a protective ring around him. “These streets have worsened beyond recognition,” Hussain told TOI. The former AAP councillor, now contesting the assembly elections as an AIMIM candidate, spoke of disappointment with his former party’s governance during his absence. “I had big hopes when AAP won, but seeing this neglect left me with no choice but to step up for my people,” he claimed.

While some said Hussain was a strong candidate, others felt his candidacy could split the vote four ways and pave the way for a BJP victory. Beyond the rubbish, sewage, and persistent water shortage, Mohammad Anees, 35, cited the incomplete school construction projects, something that Hussain quickly picked up during his campaign speech. The former councillor criticised AAP saying the party’s claims about prioritising education and healthcare had not been implemented on the ground.
In his conversation with TOI, Hussain said, “Just look at the conditions here. I hoped that thing would improve under AAP, which speaks extensively about health and education. However, the party has consistently ignored the problems of the local Muslim population, as evidenced by the clear disparities in this area.” Asked if his move to AIMIM might affect his electoral prospects, Hussain said, “I'm confident that people here supported AAP because of my grassroots work.”
When questioned about his ability to serve as an MLA while incarcerated, he responded, “Who hasn't been to jail? Delhi’s CM was in jail, the deputy CM and other ministers too. My family has been actively engaging with people, understanding the ir concerns. On Feb 8, when you see green kites soaring in Mustafabad’s sky, you'll be witnessing the depth of faith people have in this imprisoned leader.”
Hussain’s wife, Shama Anjum, and 20-year-old son, Shadab, have been carrying out a door-to-door campaign in Mustafabad, with numerous relatives joining in. “For the past six months, we've been working diligently to reach every single doorstep in the area,” said his aunt. When the locals were asked if someone not physically present could address community issues, most pointed to Hussain’s tenure as municipal councillor.
“He accomplished so much for the local community as councillor. Now, Mustafabad is becoming unliveable, with garbage trucks rarely visiting for collection. The improvements he brought about then are significant enough for us to support his candidacy for MLA,” said Anjum, 30.
Some, such as Rizwan, 28, however, noted, “Despite the visible support for Hussain at today’s rally, AAP has a loyal voter base here who have benefited substantially from the party’s various welfare schemes, including the subsidies on water and electricity charges.”

Congress candidate from the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit says, "I had written a letter to LG about Punjab vehicles, Punjab police bringing a lot of money to Delhi. Today, that claim has been proven right. Information was also received about Punjab Bhawan being used as AAP's office... Police should raid Punjab Bhawan and see what they are hiding in the rooms of Punjab Bhawan"

Today information was received that one suspicious vehicle with a Punjab registration plate and 'Punjab Sarkar' written on it is standing near Punjab Bhavan on Copernicus Marg. On searching, a huge amount of cash, many liquor bottles and pamphlets of Aam Aadmi Party were found inside the vehicle. Appropriate legal action is being initiated at Police Station Tilak Marg of New Delhi District: Delhi Police

BJP candidate from Malviya Nagar assembly constituency Satish Upadhyay says, "For the last 11 years, Delhi has faced only disasters. This is such a disaster in which there is no governance... BJP's lotus (symbol of the party) will come to remove this disaster... These (AAP) are dishonest people who lie. Now that their ground is slipping, they are accusing Haryana of poisoning them. They should be ashamed..."

"Punjab government's vehicle means Aam Aadmi Party's vehicle. Aam Aadmi Party's campaign material and Rs 10 lakh were hidden inside it. First liquor and now money, so Arvind Kejriwal is losing the Delhi elections, so now the focus is on liquor and money. He was already a liquor businessman but the money from 'Sheesh Mahal' is now being used in Delhi assembly elections... We have appealed today that strict checking and search should be done on all borders of Punjab and Delhi because the Punjab government and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party are smuggling liquor and money in government vehicles," he said.

He said, ""This time, we will not let lies succeed from Okhla. The Chief Minister of Delhi is sent to jail and serious charges under the IPC are placed on him. But what is the reason that Sisodia, Kejriwal, and Jain were jailed in the liquor policy scam? What kind of magical stick do these people have that they get justice?"

He said, "Arvind Kejriwal has done good work in Delhi, we are confident that he will win. Many attempts may have been made to make allegations but in the last 10 years, Arvind Kejriwal has shown how a government should be run. He has done good work in the areas of water, electricity, schools and hospitals. Delhi is an important state. The public will make the one who has worked, win, this is our hope, and this is my belief..."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday called AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal a "lie machine" and claimed that he was a rare politician in the country who said bad things about his own birthplace. Addressing a public meeting in support of BJP candidate Pawan Sharma in Uttam Nagar, Sarma challenged Kejriwal to accompany him for taking a dip in the Yamuna, saying the former Delhi chief minister did not fulfil his promise to clean the river.

"Is the Yamuna water in a condition for taking a dip or drinking? he asked.

Escalating his attack on the former Delhi chief minister, Sarma said Kejriwal has now stopped citing the name of Yamuna and now "spinning the story" that Haryana government "poisoned" Delhi's water.

"One must be mad. If an elder brother is in Haryana, his younger brother lives in Delhi. If a father lives in Haryana, his son works in Delhi," Sarma said.

"Contamination in raw water from Haryana so extreme that treatment plants in Delhi unable to process it within safe limits," he said.

Information was obtained about a suspicious vehicle bearing Punjab registration and displaying 'Punjab Sarkar' text, parked near Punjab Bhavan along Copernicus Marg. Upon inspection, authorities discovered substantial cash, numerous liquor bottles and Aam Aadmi Party campaign materials within the vehicle. Delhi Police at Tilak Marg Police Station in New Delhi District have commenced legal proceedings regarding this matter.

"Statements on Yamuna water were made to highlight severe toxicity, contamination of raw water received from Haryana," said Kejriwal

Sonipat court summoned AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on February 17 over his "poison in Yamuna" remark targeting the BJP government in Haryana

"This is so shameful that Nayab Singh Saini pretended to drink Yamuna water and then spit it back into the Yamuna...BJP is doing cheap politics... I would like to invite Nayab Singh Saini to the place from where the Yamuna water enters Delhi. I will give him one full glass of water to drink and will also ensure that he doesn't spit," she said.

AP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, urging voters not to "waste" their votes on the grand old party. Addressing a 'janasabha' in the Badli constituency here, Kejriwal accused the Congress of indirectly aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Why waste your votes on the Congress? The Congress will not win, it will just cut our votes. The Congress and the BJP are fighting this election together to defeat the AAP. Vote to make someone win, not to make someone lose," he said.

To monitor the situation of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has postponed his visit to Delhi for election campaign on Thursday.

"BJP has government in 20 states. Neither of those 20 states gets electricity for 24 hours. Only Delhi gets electricity for 24 hours. If you press the wrong button on 5 February, electricity will be cut off in Delhi… everyone will have to buy inverters and generators. Delhi gets the cheapest electricity in the country," said the ex-Delhi CM.

"Congress is party with ideology, does not make false promises," said Rahul.

"Until a year ago, everyone's water bill was zero. I don't know what conspiracy they (BJP) hatched with L-G, now everyone's getting Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh bill. There's no need to pay those bills. After forming the government in Delhi, I will get all those water bills waived off," he said.

He said, "Arvind Kejriwal is a sly man. In my opinion, Akhilesh Yadav shouldn't have supported him. This time BJP is fighting very well. the core citizens of Delhi are fed up with Arvind Kejriwal's lies, now as he says the Haryana government has released hazardous material in Yamuna, it is merely a blame just like he did in the past 10 years. What did he do for Yamuna, pollution in Delhi, unemployment, roads, infrastructure, or even in Corona period?"

"I dare Kejriwal to drink water from the Yamuna and then- we'll meet in the hospital," said the Congress leader.

"Earlier Arvind Kejriwal used to roam around in the city in a small car, climb electric poles. He said that I would bring clean politics. After that, the biggest scam in Delhi--the liquor scam of crores of rupees, was done by his party, his people. He has run a corporate government," said the LoP.

"Kejriwal made Delhi people drink dirty Yamuna water, I challenge him to drink Yamuna water as promised few years ago," said Rahul.

"Swami Vivekananda had said that the cause of every problem should be found within the problem but Arvind Kejriwal looks for the cause of everything outside himself. If the air in Delhi is polluted, he blames Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. They could not clean the Yamuna water in 10 years - and now they are blaming us- they just lie," said Vij

Haryana's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel announced that the state administration will initiate legal proceedings against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal regarding his statement about "poison in Yamuna". Goel criticised this comment as reckless and intended to create public fear.

"Kejriwal has made an irresponsible statement spreading panic among the people of Delhi and Haryana. Haryana government is going to get a case registered against him before CJM Court in Sonipat under the Disaster Management Act's Sections 2 (D) and 54," Goel stated during a press briefing.

The sections of the Act that Goel mentioned specifically address individuals who generate or distribute false warnings about disasters, their intensity or scale, resulting in public panic.

"An unfortunate statement by Arvind Kejriwal was given to create fear in the minds of people for his political benefits. Today, I have come here to the banks of River Yamuna and took a sip of water from Yamuna. He said that the BJP Govt of Haryana has poisoned the Yamuna River. He spoke about mass genocide. The water resource authority took samples from here and no poison was found in the water. Arvind Kejriwal has lied all his life," he said.

"Jal Jeevan Mission scheme is working effectively in Uttarakhand, many opportunities are being created there. Uttarakhand has a double engine government, so all these works are being done, so I request you to form a double engine government in Delhi too and development will take place at a fast pace here too," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday delivered a stern rebuke to AAP leader and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal regarding his comments about "poisonous water."

The Prime Minister expressed strong disapproval of Kejriwal's statements, characterising them as "disgusting allegations" made out of electoral anxiety. He asserted that the citizens of Haryana, Delhi, and the entire nation would neither pardon nor dismiss these remarks, which he termed as a "sin."

In his continued criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party, the Prime Minister stated - "In AAP-da walon ki lutiya Yamuna mein hi doobegi..."

"AAP-da has handed Delhi over to the water mafia. They sought votes during three elections, promising to clean the Yamuna. However, they have since reneged on their promise, exposing their lack of honesty and integrity," he said.

"A former CM of Delhi has levelled disgusting allegations on people of Haryana. Due to fear of losing, people from 'aapda' have got rattled. Are people of Haryana different from those in Delhi? Are relatives of those living in Haryana not residing in Delhi? Can the people of Haryana poison the water their own people drink? The water sent by Haryana is consumed by everyone living in Delhi, which also includes this Prime Minister..," he said.

"Crores of citizens of Delhi express their pain every morning and evening and everything is included in it. This is the 21st century, 25 years have already passed. We have also seen the tenure of Congress in it, then gave 11 years to AAP-Da government. But Delhi's problem remains the same. In 25 years, these two have ruined two of your generations," he said.

"After February 8th, following the establishment of the BJP government in Delhi, we will deliver on all the promises made, within the specified timeframe. This is Modi's Guarantee," he said.

"Delhi now wants such a government. Who builds houses for the poor. Which will make Delhi modern. Delhi wants such a government which provides tap water to every house and provides freedom from the tanker mafia. That is why the whole of Delhi is saying today - February 5 will come, AAP will go, BJP will come," he said.