Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | L-G V K Saxena orders probe into AAP's allegations of candidate poaching by BJP

This comes after AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP on Thursday of attempting to poach his party candidates ahead of the Delhi Assembly poll results on February 8.

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday ordered an anti-corruption branch (ACB) probe into allegations by the AAP leaders that the BJP attempted to poach its candidates, officials said.

Meanwhile, the ACB team has reached AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's residence to carry forward its probe.

The probe was ordered just a day before the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly for which elections took place on February 5.

"Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been making allegations that the BJP is offering bribes to its MLAs to quit the party and join the BJP. The lieutenant governor has directed that this matter merits a thorough investigation through the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to establish the truth," the LG office said in a letter to the chief secretary.

The direction to the chief secretary came in response to a representation by Delhi BJP general secretary Vishnu Mittal to the LG's office.

"The allegations levelled by Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh are very serious and call for an immediate investigation, as they have not furnished any proof or evidence to substantiate their claims — such as details of phone calls or the individuals involved," Mittal said in his letter to the LG.

"I request you to direct the Anti-Corruption Bureau or any other investigating agency to register an FIR and conduct a detailed probe regarding the alleged offer of Rs 15 crore to seven sitting AAP MLAs," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to poach 16 AAP candidates ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls results.

The AAP candidates received offers from the BJP, promising ministerial positions and Rs 15 crore each if they switched sides, he alleged.

Similar allegations were also made by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

Echoing Kejriwal’s claims, AAP candidate from Sultanpur Majra and Delhi Minister Mukesh Ahlawat, as well as AAP’s sitting MLA and candidate from Dwarka, Vinay Mishra, claimed that they were approached with such offers.

Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly took place on February 5, with the votes set to be counted on Saturday.

The results will determine whether the AAP secures a third consecutive term in power or the BJP ends its 27-year wait to rule the capital.

Delhi Assembly Election 2025 | The first of two state assembly polls this year sees a three-way contest between AAP, Congress, and BJP in the nation's capital. AAP decided to contest the polls alone, causing rumours of a rift in I.N.D.I.A. BJP, meanwhile, is hoping the liquor excise policy scam and pollution in Delhi will give the saffron party an edge over AAP. Kejriwal, on the other hand, has different plans with his demand for reservations for Delhi Jats. Congress will also be looking to make its presence felt and has not held back from attacking its own alliance partner. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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