The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) reached Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in the national capital on Friday (February 7, 2025) afternoon for an inquiry into the AAP’s claim that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to poach their candidates.
The ACB reached his residence after central government-appointed Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena ordered an inquiry into the issue, after BJP sought an inquiry, terming AAP’s allegations as “false” and “misleading”.
The officials left without meeting Mr. Kejriwal and the AAP alleged that the acting on the BJP’s orders, the ACB reached Mr. Kejriwal’s residence without any official notice addressed to him.
The Delhi Assembly election was held on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) and results will be announced on Saturday (February 8, 2025).
“It is to be noted that assembly elections have just concluded two days back and by spreading such false and misleading information, he is trying to create panic and situation of unrest in Delhi,” the BJP’s complaint to the L-G on Friday (February 7, 2025) read.
“A representation has been received today i.e. 07.02.2025 from Delhi BJP stating that the allegations are false and baseless. It has been further stated that the allegations have only been made with an intent to tarnish the image of BJP and create panic and situation of unrest in Delhi immediately after conclusion of Polling,” the L-G’s office said in a letter to the Chief Secretary later in the day.
On Thursday (February 6, 2025), the AAP alleged that the BJP offered ₹15 crore each to 16 of its candidates, mostly sitting MLAs, to leave the party and join the BJP to form the government after the results.
On Friday (February 7, 2025), the ACB issued a notice to Mr. Kejriwal to join the investigation later in the day and sought details of the 16 candidates, the person who contacted them, among other details.
“We have formally lodged a complaint on this entire matter and demanded an investigation. After our allegations, (Delhi BJP chief) Virendra Sachdeva panicked and rushed to the LG’s office for a drama. The LG is writing to the ACB, and the ACB is running around. Why? I have come forward to file the complaint myself. Conduct a full investigation. We have provided the number from which AAP leader Mukesh Ahlawat received the call. Investigate who this person is and what their name is,” AAP national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.
Mr. Singh also filed a complaint with the ACB on the matter.
Hitting back, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the AAP was acting in fear of defeat.
“Last year, Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi Marlena accused the BJP of running ‘Operation Lotus’ to buy MLAs. Following this, BJP media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor filed a defamation case, leading to Atishi currently being out on bail, with the matter pending in the Delhi High Court. Now, AAP leaders may soon face jail. From Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh to AAP spokespersons, their ‘Operation Lotus’ allegations are merely an acceptance of their impending loss,” he said.
When contacted, ACB chief Madhur Verma, said, “Our officers reached Mr. Kejriwal’s residence to listen to their grievances, but he was not ready to talk to us (about the allegations he had made). Then our officials went with the notice, but he did not talk to them. We issued a notice to AAP MLA Mukesh Ahlawat too and he is also yet to respond to us.”
Published - February 07, 2025 03:14 pm IST
