Kejriwal questions BJP over source of ₹800 crore to 'poach' AAP MLAs

Around 53 MLAs out of 62 were present at the meeting at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, conducted to discuss alleged poaching attempts by the BJP.

At least a dozen AAP MLAs have gone incommunicado ahead of the crucial meeting, a PTI report said citing party sources.

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 11 am.

Also read: Maha Vyapam scam in Gujarat; 10-year jail if AAP comes to power: Kejriwal

The sources said all the 62 Delhi MLAs of the Aam Aam Party (AAP) have been called for the meeting.

Refusing to divulge the names of the legislators who could not be contacted, one of the sources said, “Let them get in touch with us first.”

“Of 62 AAP MLAs, 54 attended meet at Kejriwal’s residence, seven were out of station, Satyendar Jain is in jail,” said Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj.

Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal calls political affairs committee meeting at his residence. pic.twitter.com/TrnzW8CUi2

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2022

As per Bhardwaj, 12 AAP MLAs were contacted by BJP to switch sides. However, the minister claims that the members are with the party.

Earlier, he had accused the BJP of offering ₹20 crore to MLAs to “bring down” the Kejriwal government.

Also read: Amid rising urbanisation, BJP fears emergence of AAP as a challenger

“CBI, ED should probe from where did BJP get ₹800 crore to buy AAP MLAs,” said Bhardwaj.

Four AAP MLAs who had claimed on Wednesday that they were approached by BJP leaders with an offer to switch sides said they were told that the saffron party was in touch with “20-25 MLAs” of the Kejriwal-led party.

The AAP government has also convened a special session of the Delhi Assembly on Friday over CBI, ED probes, raids targeting its ministers, and the “poaching” efforts made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP has challenged the AAP to reveal the names of those who allegedly contacted its MLAs with an offer to switch sides and charged that the Kejriwal-led party is trying hard to divert attention from the Delhi governments liquor “scam”.

AAP has 62 MLAs in the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

Kejriwal questions source of ₹800 crore

Meanwhile, Kejriwal questioned the source of the ₹800 crore allegedly offered by the BJP to 40 AAP MLAs for switching sides.

After a meeting of the AAP legislators at his residence, Kejriwal, along with his MLAs, went to Rajghat to pray for the failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “Operation Lotus”.

“Even mattresses and walls at my deputy Manish Sisodia’s residence were searched by the CBI but not even a single unaccounted penny was found. A day after the CBIs raids, Sisodia was approached by the BJP with an offer of the chief ministers post and to betray Kejriwal. I am lucky to have Sisodia, who has no greed for the chief ministers post,” Kejriwal told reporters.

He said people have elected a “hardcore honest” government in Delhi, which will not betray them.

(With inputs from agencies)