Delhi's BJP asks for observers at mosques

The BJP's Delhi unit has requested the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to appoint special observers at mosques to prevent any attempt to influence voters on "religious lines" during the Lok Sabha election.

In a letter, Delhi BJP's legal department convener Neeraj cited alleged attempts by some Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to polarise voters on religious lines and requested the CEO to appoint special observers at mosques.

"We are bound to write you this complaint due to recent repeated attempts to polarise voters on religious lines by the convener of the AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, and his party members," alleged Neeraj.

He requested the CEO to appoint special observers for mosques in Muslim-dominated areas so that the political and religious leaders cannot spread "hate" among people to "influence" elections.

"If any violation takes place, based on the reports of the special observers, the poll panel can take immediate cognizance of it and initiate necessary action," he said.

This is a matter of "grave concern" to ensure free and fare elections without any violation of the model code of conduct for polls, he added.

Polling in seven seats in Delhi will take place May 12.

Earlier this week, political parties in Kerala were asked by the poll authority to refrain from soliciting votes in the name of Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala.