Punjab BJP seeks FIR against Manish Sisodia over 'saam, daam, dand, bhed' remark

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has written to the Election Commission (EC) seeking action against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia over his recent remarks on the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

In his complaint, Jakhar alleged that Sisodia, during a speech on August 15, had “openly proclaimed” that to win the next Punjab election, AAP would resort to “saam, daam, dand, bhed, sach, jooth, sawaal, jawaab, ladai, jhagda (diplomacy, incentive, punishment, division, truth, false, question, answer, fight, quarrel)”.

Jakhar said the statement revealed AAP’s “intent to undermine the democratic process.” He argued that Sisodia’s words amounted to “an open admission of intent to adopt corrupt practices, intimidate voters, spread enmity, and disturb public order in the state.”

The BJP leader further said the remarks constituted serious offences under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including bribery (Section 123(1)), undue influence (Section 123(2)), and promotion of enmity (Section 123(3A)). He also cited provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita/IPC such as Sections 196, 197 and 353, saying the comments promoted enmity among groups, encouraged intimidation, and instigated fear.

Calling the remarks a “corrupt practice,” Jakhar urged the EC to disqualify Sisodia from contesting elections under Section 8 of the RPA Act. He also demanded immediate registration of an FIR against the AAP leader and action against the party’s Punjab unit.

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