New Delhi, February 4, 2024: The Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on Sunday visited the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister Atishi Marlena to serve a notice in connection with the party’s allegations that the BJP attempted to poach its MLAs.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had accused the BJP of trying to poach seven AAP MLAs by offering them Rs 20 crore each to defect. The AAP had also alleged that the BJP was threatening to frame AAP MLAs in false cases if they did not switch sides.
The Crime Branch notice asks Atishi to join the investigation into these allegations. Atishi, Delhi’s education minister, confirmed that officials visited her residence to serve the notice.
Earlier, a police team had also visited Kejriwal’s residence to serve a similar notice, but left after not finding him at home. They later delivered the notice at his office.
The allegations and counter-allegations between AAP and BJP have heated up the political atmosphere in Delhi. The AAP claims this is an attempt by BJP to destabilize its government in Delhi. The BJP has dismissed the claims and accused AAP of making false allegations.
What Are the Allegations?
On January 27, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal claimed at a press conference that the BJP had approached seven AAP MLAs, offering Rs 20 crore to each if they switched sides and helped topple the AAP government in Delhi.
Kejriwal named the MLAs as Ajay Dutt, Sanjeev Jha, Somnath Bharati, Kuldeep Kumar, Mohammad Ishraq Khan, Jarwal and Ashok Kumar.
He further alleged that the BJP had threatened to frame AAP MLAs in false cases if they refused the offer. The AAP convened a meeting of its MLAs later where these claims were reiterated.
The party approached the Delhi Police asking for an FIR against BJP leaders but the police responded by serving notices to Kejriwal and Atishi asking them to join the probe.
AAP’s Reaction
The AAP has strongly defended its allegations and stated they have evidence to back their claims.
“The entire country knows their(BJP’s) modus operandi of toppling elected governments in every state be it Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Manipur or Meghalaya. This is their model – use ED, CBI and money power,” AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said reacting to the police notice.
Atishi stated she will cooperate fully with the investigation.
Atishi stated she will cooperate fully with the investigation.
CM Kejriwal has accused the Delhi Police of supporting the BJP. “How will Delhi Police investigate this case? They report to the central govt. That’s why the public has no faith in Delhi Police,” he said.
BJP’s Response
The BJP has strongly refuted the allegations and called them baseless. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said no BJP leader had approached any AAP MLA.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is trying to divert people’s attention and questioned why the Delhi Police were not showing seriousness in probing the allegations.
Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta said the AAP government has failed on all fronts and CM Kejriwal is trying to divert attention by making false allegations against BJP.
Possible Motivations
Political observers say both parties have reasons to attack each other in the run-up to key state elections this year and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The allegations may help AAP to project itself as the main challenger to BJP. It can also discourage further desertions from its ranks.
For BJP, a weakened AAP government in Delhi is an advantage ahead of the 2024 polls. Toppling the Kejriwal government would be an added bonus, but difficult without mass desertions from AAP.
The jury is still out on whether the stunning allegations are true or just political posturing. Police investigation will bring more clarity in the high-voltage drama unfolding in the national capital.
