Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to poach Aam Aadmi Party candidates ahead of the crucial vote counting for the Delhi Assembly elections. According to his claim, at least 16 Aam Aadmi Party candidates received calls offering ₹15 crore each and a ministerial post if they defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The allegation has sparked a heated political battle, with the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly denying the claim and threatening legal action if the Aam Aadmi Party does not withdraw the accusation.
In an online statement, Arvind Kejriwal asserted that in just two hours, multiple Aam Aadmi Party candidates had been approached with offers to switch sides. He questioned why such attempts were being made when some exit polls predicted a clear Bharatiya Janata Party victory with over 55 seats. He alleged that these surveys were fabricated to create pressure on candidates but insisted that none of his party members would succumb to such tactics. His statement comes amid growing speculation about the outcome of the February 5 elections, the results of which will be declared tomorrow.
Aam Aadmi Party candidate Mukesh Ahlawat, contesting from Sultanpur Majra, echoed Arvind Kejriwal’s claim, stating that he too was offered ₹15 crore and a ministerial berth in return for quitting the Aam Aadmi Party. He shared his experience in an online post, revealing that he was told the Bharatiya Janata Party was set to form the next government in Delhi and that joining them would be in his best interest. However, he reaffirmed his loyalty to Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party, vowing to never abandon the party.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi amplified the allegations, calling the exit polls a conspiracy designed to demoralize Aam Aadmi Party legislators and weaken their resolve. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh also raised similar concerns earlier in the day, suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s alleged attempts to buy Aam Aadmi Party candidates were a sign that they had already accepted defeat. He claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party was resorting to desperate measures to tilt the election in its favor.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has categorically denied these allegations. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed them as baseless and accused the Aam Aadmi Party of spreading misinformation out of frustration. He challenged Sanjay Singh to either retract his statement and apologize or face legal consequences. Virendra Sachdeva also reminded the Aam Aadmi Party leadership that Arvind Kejriwal is already facing a defamation case and should be mindful of making unverified accusations.
Delhi voted on February 5, and the vote count tomorrow will determine the city’s political future. While multiple exit polls have suggested a Bharatiya Janata Party victory, past elections have shown that such predictions are not always accurate, keeping the political atmosphere tense as parties brace for the final outcome.
