07-Feb-2025, 01:37 PM
BJP MP and Union Minister Giriraj Singh has responded to Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to poach Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results. Singh claimed that the AAP will not even secure 16 seats in the Delhi elections.
Kejriwal had alleged that 16 AAP candidates received calls from the BJP offering them ministerial positions and ₹15 crore each to switch parties. Kejriwal questioned the need for the BJP to poach candidates if they were projected to win more than 55 seats in the exit polls, suggesting that these polls were designed to pressure AAP candidates.
AAP leaders, including Delhi Minister Mukesh Ahlawat, supported Kejriwal’s claims, stating that he was also offered a ministerial position and ₹15 crore to join the BJP. Ahlawat asserted his loyalty to Kejriwal and the AAP. AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the BJP had approached seven AAP MLAs with similar offers. Singh also claimed that this indicated the BJP’s acceptance of defeat before the election results.
The BJP has denied these allegations. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva refuted the claims, attributing them to the AAP’s frustration over their expected electoral loss. Sachdeva demanded that Sanjay Singh retract his allegations and apologize or face legal action, also noting that Kejriwal is already facing a defamation case for similar allegations.
In response to the accusations, the AAP has reportedly advised its candidates to record any calls and use spy cameras to document face-to-face meetings regarding potential poaching attempts. Chief Minister Atishi also weighed in, questioning why the BJP would attempt to break AAP candidates if they were confident in securing over 50 seats. Atishi further claimed that the exit polls predicting a BJP victory were a conspiracy to demoralize AAP candidates.
The Delhi election office has set up 19 centers for counting votes on February 82. Voter turnout was notably lower in middle-class neighborhoods, with 33 constituencies recording less than the city’s overall 60.4%2. Exit polls have presented varied predictions, with some suggesting a BJP victory and others predicting an AAP win.
