Kejriwal alleges BJP poaching attempts amid exit polls; ACB raids his residence in liquor policy case
PTC Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the BJP is attempting to poach Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates by offering Rs 15 crore each and ministerial positions. His claims come amid exit poll projections predicting a majority for the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) conducted a raid at Kejriwal's residence in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.
On the night of February 6, Kejriwal took to Twitter to express concerns over alleged political maneuvering aimed at destabilising AAP ahead of the election results.
"Some agencies are reporting that 'Gaali-Galauj Party' (a reference to BJP) is winning more than 55 seats. In the last two hours, 16 of our candidates have received phone calls urging them to leave AAP and join their party with the promise of ministerial positions and ₹15 crore each," Kejriwal tweeted.
He further questioned the necessity of such poaching attempts if BJP was genuinely set to secure a majority in Delhi. "If their party is getting over 55 seats, why do they need to call our candidates? Clearly, fake surveys are being conducted to create an atmosphere to influence some candidates. But let me tell you, not a single one of our people will defect," he said
A total of 14 exit polls have been released ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, with 12 of them projecting a BJP majority, while only two suggest that AAP could retain power. The Axis My India poll estimates that BJP could secure between 45 and 55 out of Delhi's 70 assembly seats, whereas the CNX poll gives an even higher projection of 49 to 61 seats for the saffron party.
ACB raid at Kejriwal’s residence
On the same day that Kejriwal made his allegations, a team from the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) conducted a raid at his official residence in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam case. The case, which has already led to the arrest of senior AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, alleges irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
Sources suggest that the ACB team was searching for financial records and digital evidence related to the case. While Kejriwal was not present at home during the raid, AAP leaders have condemned the move, calling it "political vendetta" by the Centre.
AAP has dismissed the exit poll projections as part of a larger political strategy to manipulate public perception and influence party candidates.
AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, "The BJP knows they are losing and that's why they are engaging in such tactics. First, they create false exit polls, then they try to buy MLAs, and now, they are using investigative agencies to intimidate our leaders."
He further added that AAP is confident of forming the government again and that these raids will not deter their fight against corruption.
On the other hand, BJP leaders have denied Kejriwal’s allegations and called them an "attempt to divert attention" from the liquor scam case. Senior BJP leader and Delhi election in-charge, Bhupender Yadav, said, "Kejriwal knows his government is collapsing, so he is making baseless claims. If AAP is so confident, why are they worried about exit polls?"
- With inputs from agencies
