New Delhi, India

India's Election Commission (EC) on Friday (Apr 5) sent a notice to the Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi after she alleged that the BJP, through one of her close aides, approached her to join the saffron party.

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She also claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party threatened her with arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) if she failed to do so.

The EC has asked the Delhi Minister to respond to the notice by Monday (Apr 8) at noon.

"Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided," the notice by the EC read.

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"The political parties and leaders shall not make false statements, utterances without factual basis aimed at misleading the voters. Criticism of other parties or their workers on the basis of unverified allegations or on distortions shall be avoided," it added.

The poll panel, in its notice, also added that it received a complaint on April 4 from the BJP that Atishi made "misleading and unverified statements" during her press conference on April 2.

Atishi a day after declaring that she would make an explosive expose, on Tuesday (Apr 2) accused BJP of trying to coerce her into joining them or face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

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During a press conference, the Delhi minister said, "BJP through one of my close aides approached me to join their party to save my political career and If I do not join the BJP then in the coming one month I will be arrested by ED."

She also claimed that the person told her that PM Modi and his party had "made up their mind" to "destroy the AAP party and its leaders".

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BJP slams Atishi over accusations

Following Atishi's allegations, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of fooling her.

"No one except Arvind Kejriwal has fooled you. He has destroyed several lives before her," said Sirsa in a video statement.

He also challenged Atishi to reveal the name of the close aide. 

"Atishi claims that he has gotten a message. She should reveal the name of her close aide so that the ED can arrest him," said Sirsa.

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The BJP leader stated that his party would not accept a corrupt leader like Atishi "and will not allow her to even walk outside its office".

He also hinted at a power struggle within the AAP, suggesting that Kejriwal wants to put them in jail instead of making them Chief Minister. 

"When Arvind Kejriwal gave their names to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), they felt that they are the next in line because Kejriwal has given them away."

"This is because Arvind Kejriwal does not want to make them Chief Minister. He wants to put them in jail. So they are scared," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)