In an impassioned address to the voters of Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal issued a clarion call against the alarming trend of vote-buying through cash and material goods. He urged citizens to reject attempts that aim to tarnish India’s democracy. “Your vote, secured through the tireless struggle of Babasaheb Ambedkar, is invaluable. Selling it for a saree, a blanket, or ₹1,100 is a betrayal of his legacy and a threat to our nation’s future,” he declared.
Arvind Kejriwal condemned the widespread distribution of money and goods by political parties to influence voters, describing the practice as a direct assault on democracy. He revealed shocking details of cash handouts, ranging from ₹1,100 to extravagant gifts like gold chains, and criticised corrupt leaders for using ill-gotten wealth to undermine the electoral process.
In his appeal, Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens to accept the distributed goods, citing them as returns from the corruption of those distributing them. However, he firmly reminded voters to protect their democratic right by rejecting any coercion to vote for corrupt entities. “Take everything they give you, but do not sell your vote. Your vote is your voice, your conscience, and your power to build the future of this country,” he emphasized.
Addressing the voters of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal talked about how it is often said during elections that the night before voting is a “night of slaughter.” “That night, money flows freely, chicken is distributed, and alcohol is served in abundance,” he said, adding, “But this Delhi election is entirely different. Open distribution of money and goods started a month and a half before the elections. Shoes are being distributed, cash ranging around ₹1,100 is being handed out openly. There is no fear, no concern that the Election Commission or anyone else will stop them. Under police protection, such illicit distributions are happening. The police are even organizing queues and verifying whether someone is a voter or not. If you’re a voter, you get the goods; if not, you don’t.”
Expressing his dismay, he continued, “Sheets, sarees, shoes, blankets, jackets, rations, and even gold chains are being distributed. This is extremely dangerous for our country. This money and these goods are not coming from government funds but are being distributed by a few leaders of their Gaali Galoch party. Where did they get this money from? How do they have so much money? Crores and crores of rupees, even billions, are being distributed to buy votes. Where did this money come from? This is money from their corruption, money they have looted from the people of this country through illegal means.”
Arvind Kejriwal went on to issue a heartfelt appeal to the people of Delhi: “this money they are distributing was earned by looting the people of this country. Take everything they distribute—don’t worry about it. Take all the goods and money they hand out, but remember one thing: do not sell your vote. Do not sell your vote for ₹1,100. Do not sell your vote for a saree. Your vote is invaluable. Do not sell your vote for a blanket or a pair of shoes.”
He added, “I was watching TV, and I saw how wise poor and middle-class people are. A journalist asked an elderly woman, “Did you take the money?” She replied, “Yes, I did.” The journalist asked, “How much did you take?” She said, “₹1,100.” The journalist then asked, “Whom will you vote for?” She replied, “Kejriwal.” The journalist asked why, even after taking money from others, she would vote for Kejriwal. The elderly woman gave an excellent reply: “Do they think they can buy me for ₹1,100? Even if they gave me ₹11 crores or ₹100 crores, I would still think about it!” What a great answer from her.”
He reiterated, “I appeal to you: take as much money and goods as you can from them because they looted you and the country. Take whatever you can, but do not sell your vote at any cost. Your vote is worth more than ₹1,100. It is more valuable than a blanket or a saree.”
Invoking the values of Babasaheb, the AAP Convenor continued, “Where did this right to vote come from? It was given to you by Babasaheb Ambedkar. You respect Babasaheb Ambedkar, don’t you? When the Constitution was being written, there was a debate in the Constituent Assembly. Some people argued that illiterate and poor people, and those who don’t pay income tax, should not have the right to vote. Babasaheb stood up and fought for your right to vote. He argued that every citizen of this country, whether educated or illiterate, rich or poor, should have the right to vote. Babasaheb fought for your voting rights and ensured that you received them.”
“This vote, which Babasaheb secured for you through his struggle, should not be sold for a saree, a blanket, or ₹1,100. Your vote is priceless. This vote is invaluable, and it is our responsibility to protect this democracy,” he declared.
Arvind Kejriwal further said that if they start buying votes for ₹1,100 each, then understand that the entire country will be destroyed, democracy will come to an end, and Babasaheb’s dream will be shattered. “If democracy does not survive, then tomorrow, those with money will buy votes for ₹2,200 or ₹3,000. Eventually, this country will be ruled by wealthy businessmen and moneylenders. No one will build schools for your children or ensure their future. No one will build hospitals for you, no one will construct roads, and no one will do anything for you. If you start selling your votes, this country will fall into the hands of looters.”
He added, “They have already looted enough. Those who are now distributing goods and money in the name of elections are trying to destroy the country. Remember one thing: you can vote for anyone you like, but never vote for the one who is trying to buy your vote. That person is a corrupt individual, a traitor, and an enemy of the nation. The one distributing sarees, jackets, blankets, or ₹1,100 is betraying the country and endangering our democracy. They want to destroy democracy in this country.”
Arvind Kejriwal said that vote for anyone you want—it’s your choice. “Whether you vote for me or not is up to you. But never vote for the person trying to buy your vote and ruin this country. Take all the goods and money they offer—don’t hesitate to take it—but swear to yourself that you will never vote for them.”
He further noted that when some voters went to collect money from them, they made the voters swear on their children, on God, or in other ways. He said: “Don’t worry about those oaths—they mean nothing. An oath only holds value when it is taken for a noble or honest purpose. If you are taking money from a dishonest person, and they make you swear, that oath is meaningless. You can stand before God or a deity and say, “God, I was forced to take this oath. It is false. I will vote for the country and not for that traitor.” If you say this before God, your oath will be nullified.”
“I, too, visit Hanuman Ji’s temple every Tuesday. Next Tuesday, when I go, I will pray to Hanuman Ji on your behalf. I will ask Hanuman Ji to forgive you for the false oaths you were forced to take. And God listens to me,” he said.
He continued, “I’ve heard that they are threatening voters. They’ve said that if you take their money or goods but don’t vote for them, they’ll find out and harm you. These threats are baseless. No one can find out who you vote for inside the booth or which button you press on the machine. Take all the goods and money they offer, but vote for the country. Vote as per your will. Don’t let their threats intimidate you.”
Arvind Kejriwal concluded, “I’ve also heard that they will distribute even more money—two days, four days, or even the night before the election. They will offer more. But whether it’s ₹1,100 or ₹11,000, do not sell your vote. Do not sell democracy. Do not sell India for ₹1,100 or ₹11,000. Do not sell yourself. Do not sell your conscience. The money they are distributing is all ill-gotten wealth. If you sell your country or democracy for this money, remember, God will never forgive you.”
Senior AAP Leader Manish Sisodia wrote on X, “Babasaheb Ambedkar fought a big battle to give you the right to vote. Do not vote for those who are trying to buy your vote by giving 1100 rupees and a bedsheet. This dirty game is going on under the nose of Delhi Police, and the police are quietly watching the spectacle. BJP has ill-gotten money, if you vote for them then democracy will end in the country and the rule of rich moneylenders will come. Then who will build good schools and hospitals for your children? We know that the people of Delhi are not for sale, they will not let their votes be sold. If these people try to buy your vote by giving money, then take the money from them, but vote only for the Aam Aadmi Party that thinks about your welfare.”
