1 month ago
Last Updated:February 07, 2025, 16:49 IST
Delhi L-G recommended ACB probe against AAP leaders, after which the Bureau sent teams to the residences of Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh and Mukesh Ahlawat.
Arvind Kejriwal and VK Saxena (PTI Image)
Delhi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau served a notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal over his allegations that the BJP was offering Rs 15 crore to 16 AAP MLAs to switch to the saffron party, ahead of the counting of votes in Delhi.
The action comes after Delhi L-G VK Saxena recommended an ACB probe into Kejriwal’s allegations. The ACB team also visited the residences of Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Mukesh Ahlawat today to seek proof of their allegations on the eve of the declaration of results in the Assembly polls.
In the notice to Kejriwal, the ACB sought details of 16 AAP candidates who received phone calls regarding the offer of bribe and details of phone numbers from which they got calls. The anti-graft body also asked Kejriwal to provide evidences and proof to support the allegations.
Sources said that while ACB officials visited Singh’s residence to gather evidence regarding the allegations against the BJP, the AAP leader himself went to the probe agency’s office to record his statement.
The BJP had earlier filed a complaint to the L-G against the AAP over the accusations which the party dubbed “false and baseless".
What Had AAP Alleged?
Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders had alleged that the BJP was offering Rs 15 crores to its MLAs to jump ship as the results of the Assembly polls are scheduled to be declared on Saturday.
“Some agencies are showing that the abusive party is getting more than 55 seats. In the last two hours, our 16 candidates have received calls saying, “Leave AAP and join our party, we’ll make you ministers and give each of you Rs 15-15 crore"," Kejriwal had posted on X on Thursday, a day after BJP was projected by the Exit Polls to return to power in Delhi after 27 years.
His comments were backed by party leader Mukesh Ahlawat who said that he would “rather die" than leave Kejriwal’s side.
मैं मर जाऊंगा, कट जाऊंगा लेकिन कभी @ArvindKejriwal जी का साथ नहीं छोडूंगा।मुझे इस नंबर से फ़ोन आया। उसने बोला कि उनकी सरकार बन रही है, मंत्री बना देंगे और 15 करोड़ भी देंगे। “आप" छोड़ के आ जाओ।
मैं इनको कहना चाहता हूँ कि जो इज़्ज़त केजरीवाल जी ने और “आप" पार्टी ने मुझे दी है,… pic.twitter.com/ZrqIC0R4WD
— Mukesh Ahlawat (@mukeshahlawatap) February 6, 2025
L-G Recommends ACB Probe
The Delhi L-G Office reacted to the allegations and recommended an ACB probe into the massive charges.
The L-G Office said that it received a representation from Delhi BJP on the poaching charges, alleging that allegations were levelled with an intent to “tarnish the image of BJP and create panic and situation of unrest in Delhi immediately after conclusion of polling".
“Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor has desired that this matter merits a thorough investigation through the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to establish the truth in the matter," the office said.
Earlier today, Delhi BJP General Secretary Vishnu Mittal wrote to L-G seeking his direction to ACB or any other investigating agency to register an FIR against Kejriwal and conduct a probe into the poaching allegations.
“It is requested that Arvind Kejriwal & Sanjay Singh be summoned and detailed enquiry be done with regard to the details of the person who contacted MLAs and the mode and medium of contact et al.needs to be investigated to unearth the truth," the letter read.
Location : First Published:February 07, 2025, 13:33 IST
News elections 'Submit Proof': Delhi's Anti-Corruption Body Serves Notice To Kejriwal Over Poaching Charge
