NEW DELHI: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi has summoned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The inquiry is regarding allegations that 16 AAP MLAs were offered bribes to switch sides.
The notice was issued on February 7. It seeks clarification on whether Kejriwal personally posted a tweet accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of poaching his party members. The alleged offers included โน15 crore and ministerial positions.
According to the notice, the ACB has asked Kejriwal to confirm if he stands by his allegations. He has been asked to provide details of the MLAs who allegedly received these offers. The authorities have also demanded evidence. This includes call records and names of individuals who allegedly approached the AAP leaders.
Earlier on Thursday, Feb 6, Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to lure AAP candidates with financial incentives. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh also supported this claim. He stated that multiple MLAs had received such offers.
Following these allegations, a team of ACB officials visited Kejriwalโs residence. They served him the notice for inquiry.
Reacting to the development, AAPโs legal cell president Sanjeev Nasiar dismissed the inquiry as a โpolitical conspiracyโ orchestrated by the BJP.
โThe ACB officials have no proper authorization. They are acting under BJPโs pressure to create political drama,โ he alleged.
Meanwhile, BJPโs Delhi unit has called AAPโs allegations baseless and misleading. Delhi BJP general secretary Vishnu Mittal filed a complaint with the Lieutenant Governor (LG), demanding action against AAP for allegedly spreading false claims to tarnish BJPโs image.
The controversy has added to the growing political tensions in the capital ahead of assembly election results. While AAP insists the bribery allegations are genuine, the BJP maintains that Kejriwalโs claims are an attempt to divert attention from corruption cases against his party.
