NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Crime Branch reached Delhi Minister Atishi’s residence on Mathura Road on Sunday delivered her a notice regarding the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to persuade seven AAP MLAs to switch sides. Initial reports suggested that Atishi was not home when the team arrived.
This development comes a day after crime branch officials of the Delhi Police served a notice to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following a five-hour ordeal, asking him to respond within three days regarding his claims that the BJP attempted to sway AAP MLAs.
READ MORE : Lone Hindu family in Bihar village threatened to leave; seeks DM’s help
A Delhi Police officer stated, “We have served the notice to him (Kejriwal). He can provide a written reply within three days.”
The crime branch also requested Arvind Kejriwal to disclose the names of AAP MLAs allegedly approached by the BJP. Earlier, there was a commotion at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in Civil Lines as a crime branch team returned on Saturday to deliver a notice in connection with the investigation.
Arvind Kejriwal shared a video on social media showing policemen at his residence and expressed sympathy for the officers tasked with delivering the notice, stating, “It’s their duty to curb crime in Delhi, but they are being dragged into drama. That’s why crime is increasing in Delhi.”
Without naming any party or leader, the Delhi CM mentioned in the post that ‘political bosses’ were inquiring about which AAP MLAs were contacted to switch sides.
Taking a jibe at the saffron party, Arvind Kejriwal questioned why there was drama surrounding the issue when the party knew who was responsible for toppling governments of other parties across the country in recent years by enticing MLAs.
Last week, Arvind Kejriwal alleged on social media that the BJP offered Rs 25 crore to each of seven AAP MLAs to leave the party and destabilise his AAP government.
Shortly afterward, Atishi held a press conference and accused the BJP of launching “Operation Lotus 2.0” in Delhi.
“They had made a similar attempt to sway AAP MLAs last year by offering them money but failed,” Atishi claimed.
Following the allegations, a delegation of the Delhi BJP led by its chief, Virender Sachdeva, met Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on January 30, requesting an investigation.