New Delhi: The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Friday served a legal notice to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, seeking details and evidence regarding his allegations that the BJP attempted to bribe his party candidates ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results.
The legal notice comes just a day before the counting of votes is scheduled to take place for the Delhi Assembly elections held on February 5.
The notice, delivered at Kejriwal’s 5, Ferozeshah Road residence, has intensified the political tensions between AAP and the BJP, with the former calling it a politically motivated move.
Earlier in the day, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered a probe into allegations by AAP leaders of BJP trying to poach its candidates.
“Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been making allegations that the BJP is offering bribes to its MLAs to quit the party and join the BJP. The lieutenant governor has directed that this matter merits a thorough investigation through the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to establish the truth,” the LG office said in a letter to the chief secretary.
The direction to the chief secretary came in response to a representation by Delhi BJP general secretary Vishnu Mittal to the LG’s office.
“The allegations levelled by Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh are very serious and call for an immediate investigation, as they have not furnished any proof or evidence to substantiate their claims — such as details of phone calls or the individuals involved,” Mittal said in his letter to the LG.
“I request you to direct the Anti-Corruption Bureau or any other investigating agency to register an FIR and conduct a detailed probe regarding the alleged offer of Rs 15 crore to seven sitting AAP MLAs,” he added.
The ACB probe team reached AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s residence to begin the probe.
The probe came a day ahead of the counting of votes and result declaration for Delhi Assembly elections held on February 5.
On February 6, Kejriwal alleged that BJP tried to poach 16 AAP candidates before the Delhi Assembly polls results.
He said that the BJP offered ministerial positions and ₹15 crore each to the AAP representatives.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh made similar allegations against BJP. Moreover, AAP candidate from Sultanpur Majra and Delhi Minister Mukesh Ahlawat, as well as AAP’s sitting MLA and candidate from Dwarka, Vinay Mishra, claimed to have been approached with such offers.
