Arvind Kejriwal Claims AAP Candidates Offered ₹15 Crore to Join BJP Before Delhi Election Results
As the Delhi assembly election results loom, a political storm has erupted with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to lure his party’s candidates away. With voting concluded and the count scheduled for Saturday, February 8, these accusations add a dramatic twist to an already tense political landscape.
Arvind Kejriwal took to X, formerly Twitter, to allege that 16 candidates from AAP were approached by BJP with offers of ministerial posts and a hefty sum of ₹15 crore each to switch allegiances. This claim came amidst several exit polls predicting a BJP sweep, which Kejriwal suggested was part of a strategy to demoralize AAP candidates and sway public opinion before the vote count.
Mukesh Ahlawat, an AAP candidate and Delhi minister, publicly declared his loyalty to AAP and Kejriwal, stating he would rather face dire consequences than abandon his party. Similar sentiments were echoed by AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who at a press conference, revealed that seven party MLAs were contacted by BJP representatives with offers.
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Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva dismissed these allegations as baseless, accusing AAP of fabricating stories out of desperation due to anticipated defeat. He warned of legal action against AAP leaders for defamation, referencing past legal confrontations over similar claims.
This controversy has spotlighted the intense competition in Delhi’s political arena, where AAP has governed for the past decade. The allegations come at a critical time when exit polls are showing a potential shift in power, with BJP possibly ending its 27-year absence from ruling Delhi.
Exit Poll Predictions:
- Axis My India: Predicts BJP with 48% vote share, securing 45-55 seats, while AAP might win 15-25 seats.
- Today’s Chanakya: Gives BJP a 49% vote share with 45-57 seats, and AAP 13-25 seats.
- CNX: Forecasts BJP with 49-61 seats and a 49.05% vote share, with AAP expected to get 10-19 seats.
These polls, however, are not definitive, and the actual results will reveal the true impact of these poaching allegations on the electorate’s mood and the parties’ performances.
The public discourse on social media and in local communities has been mixed, with some viewing these claims as typical electioneering tactics, while others see it as a sign of BJP’s insecurity despite the polls. This situation has undoubtedly fueled discussions about political ethics, the integrity of elections, and the lengths to which parties might go to secure victory.
As Delhi waits for the election results, the political drama continues to unfold, keeping the public engaged and the political analysts busy. Whether these allegations will sway votes or merely serve as a footnote in the election narrative remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that the battle for Delhi is not just about governance but also about the integrity of political competition.
