New Delhi:
As the Delhi Assembly election results loom on February 8, a significant political storm has erupted in the capital. Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has ordered an investigation into allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to poach candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with substantial cash offers and promises of ministerial positions.
AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal sparked this controversy by alleging that 16 AAP candidates received calls from the BJP, offering them Rs 15 crore each and ministerial positions if they defected. This accusation has heightened the political tension between the two parties, especially given the impending election results.
Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has recommended an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe to investigate AAP’s allegations against the BJP. Kejriwal’s claims, made on a social media platform, suggest that the BJP’s offers were part of a larger strategy to sway the election outcome. He questioned the authenticity of exit polls showing a BJP victory, arguing that if the BJP were indeed winning, there would be no need to attempt to poach AAP candidates.
The allegations surfaced just before the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly elections, adding a layer of complexity to the already intense political battle. The BJP has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as false and baseless, and politically motivated to tarnish the BJP’s image ahead of the results.
The ACB has swiftly initiated its inquiry, dispatching teams to gather information from Kejriwal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, and MLA Mukesh Ahlawat. This probe aims to verify the claims and hold accountable those responsible if any wrongdoing is found.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP candidate Atishi also weighed in on the controversy, questioning the need for the BJP to contact AAP candidates if they were confident of their victory. She suggested that the exit polls predicting a BJP win were part of a conspiracy to demoralize AAP candidates and create an atmosphere conducive to defections.
The investigation into these allegations underscores the gravity of the situation, involving large-scale political corruption. The outcome of this probe will be crucial as the Delhi Assembly election results will determine whether AAP secures a third consecutive term or if the BJP breaks its 27-year-long wait to govern the capital.
