ACB Summons Arvind Kejriwal Over 15 Crore Bribery Allegations.
With just hours left for the counting of votes in the Delhi Assembly elections, political tensions have escalated. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to buy his party’s candidates. Kejriwal claimed that 16 AAP candidates were offered ₹15 crore each to switch sides. Following his allegations, the BJP formally complained to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, prompting an investigation.
Anti-Corruption Bureau Steps In
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched a probe into Kejriwal’s claims. On Thursday, an ACB team visited the Delhi CM’s residence but had to wait outside for an extended period. Later, the team issued a notice to Kejriwal, summoning him for questioning. The notice demands that Kejriwal provide the names of the 16 candidates who allegedly received offers from the BJP.
AAP Calls the ACB Investigation Politically Motivated
AAP’s legal head, Sanjeev Nasiyar, criticized the manner in which the ACB acted, stating that the officers arrived without official documents and prepared the notice only after taking directions from senior authorities. He alleged that the investigation is politically driven and that AAP would respond to the notice in due course.
कुछ एजेंसीज दिखा रही हैं कि गाली गलौज पार्टी की 55 से ज़्यादा सीट आ रही हैं।
पिछले दो घंटे में हमारे 16 उम्मीदवारों के पास फ़ोन आ गए हैं कि “आप” छोड़ के उनकी पार्टी में आ जाओ, मंत्री बना देंगे और हरेक को 15-15 करोड़ देंगे।
अगर इनकी पार्टी की 55 से ज़्यादा सीटें आ रहीं हैं तो…
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 6, 2025
Sanjay Singh Calls BJP the ‘Most Corrupt Party’
AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of destabilizing governments across the country. He cited incidents in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh, where BJP allegedly engineered defections to topple opposition governments. Singh emphasized that AAP itself had called for an investigation into the bribery claims and even shared the phone number from which the alleged calls were made.
BJP Dismisses Allegations, Calls It an Excuse for Defeat
BJP leaders have dismissed Kejriwal’s allegations, calling them an excuse to cover up an impending electoral loss. BJP candidate from Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri, accused AAP of making baseless claims to justify their potential defeat. He further suggested that AAP would next blame Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for their loss.
BJP Demands Strict Action Against AAP’s Claims
BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia ridiculed Kejriwal, questioning whether his accusations were merely an attempt to gain media attention. Chandolia compared Kejriwal’s bribery claim to his previous allegations about poisoned Yamuna water, calling them fabricated. He asserted that AAP leaders are now struggling to defend themselves as the investigation intensifies.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
With ACB summoning Kejriwal for questioning, the political battle is expected to intensify further. Whether AAP can substantiate its claims or if the investigation exposes political theatrics remains to be seen. As Delhi awaits the election results, both parties are preparing for what could be a prolonged political showdown.
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