New Delhi, Feb. 7 -- A political storm erupted in Delhi as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials arrived at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on Friday to question him over bribery allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but were denied entry. The ACB's action followed a directive from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to probe accusations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders regarding BJP's alleged attempts to poach its candidates ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the BJP offered Rs 15 crore each to seven AAP candidates to switch loyalties. Although he did not reveal any names, Singh claimed the offers were made through phone calls from BJP leaders shortly after the voting concluded. Kejriwal amplified the accusations, stating that 16 AAP candidates were approached by BJP with promises of money and ministerial roles in exchange for joining their side.
The allegations prompted Delhi BJP Secretary Vishnu Mittal to file a formal complaint with the Lieutenant Governor, terming AAP's claims baseless and politically motivated. He accused the party of attempting to create unrest in the capital through false and misleading information and called for an immediate investigation into the matter. Acting on the complaint, the Lieutenant Governor ordered the ACB to investigate, stating that the allegations were aimed at tarnishing the BJP's image and destabilizing the situation in Delhi.
The ACB has set up three teams to probe the allegations. Sanjay Singh's statement was recorded at the agency's office, and both Arvind Kejriwal and AAP minister Mukesh Kumar Ahlawat are expected to submit their responses soon. In response to the investigation, Sanjay Singh challenged the BJP, accusing it of indulging in theatrics while avoiding accountability. He reiterated his demand for a proper investigation and stated that he had already shared a phone number allegedly used to make the offers. Singh questioned what further evidence was needed when the details had already been made public.
Meanwhile, the controversy coincided with exit poll predictions indicating that the BJP could return to power in Delhi after 27 years. The average of five exit polls suggested that BJP might win 39 seats, crossing the majority mark of 36, while AAP was expected to secure 30 seats. However, AAP leader Reena Gupta dismissed the projections, citing past instances where exit polls had underestimated the party's performance in 2013, 2015, and 2020.
The Delhi Assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 60.55 percent in a three-way contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress. As the results are set to be announced on Saturday, political tensions continue to rise in the capital.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.