New Delhi, January 17: A row erupted after Congress leader Kirti Azad issued an invite to Asha Devi, mother of 2012 gangrape-murder victim Nirbhaya, to contest in the Delhi assembly elections 2020. Azad, while responding to speculations on whether Devi will contest polls from New Delhi constituency against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said "she is welcome". Nirbhaya Gangrape-Murder Case: Delhi Court Issues Fresh Death Warrant, Convicts to be Hanged at 6 AM on February 1.

Azad's tweet, as shared below, drew an array of speculations on whether the Congress is attempting to gain from the controversy involving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in allegedly delaying the execution Nirbhaya convicts. The Opposition parties have alleged that the "delay caused by AAP" in rejecting the mercy plea led to the postponement of execution. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has outrightly rejected the charge.

See Kirti Azad's Tweet

Delhi Congress Chief Clarifies

Delhi Congress president Subhash Chopra issued a statement claiming that the unverified reports of Devi being offered a ticket are false. "Congress party welcomes everyone. But amidst the election, the speculations related to offering of tickets is unsubstantiated. I want to clarify that I have not spoken to anyone in this regard," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 17, 2020 05:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).