Arvind Kejriwal Summoned in Anti-Corruption Probe Over Bribery Allegations

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to poach AAP MLAs by offering them bribes. The summons come in the wake of a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena, who ordered an inquiry after Kejriwal claimed that BJP was trying to lure AAP MLAs with monetary inducements.

ACB’s Inquiry and Questions Raised

The ACB has supposedly raised five crucial questions over the bribery allegations. AAP leaders stopped the officials from visiting Kejriwal’s residence on Friday, saying the agency did not have the permission to do that. Despite their resistance, Kejriwal has been directed to join the inquiry and elaborate on the details of the offers made to 16 MLAs.

• The contents of the tweets made by the MLAs who were accused of bribery.
  The names of the people involved in offering bribes.
  The evidence to the claims.
  Bribery Allegations

Kejriwal accused the BJP of trying to bribe AAP candidates with a promise of giving them ₹15 crore each in return for their resignation from the party. This was during exit polls that said the BJP will return to power in Delhi after 27 years.

Some agencies are showing that the ‘Gali Galoch party’ (referring to the BJP) is getting more than 55 seats. In the last two hours, 16 of our candidates have received calls that if they leave AAP and join their party, they will be made ministers and will receive ₹15 crore each. If BJP is truly getting more than 55 seats, why do they need to call our candidates?” Kejriwal said in a statement on Thursday.

BLP has condemned the charges as “completely false and baseless,” and it is seen that allegations were levelled against the party to demean its credibility and make the election aftermath tumultuous. After BJP complained to Delhi LG, Saxena requested the investigation and hence ACB entered in this matter.

With the Delhi elections having already concluded on February 5, the controversy over these allegations may have serious political implications. If true, bribery allegations could really dent BJP’s credibility. However, if these allegations are found to be baseless, then the investigation could undermine AAP’s claims and political standing.

All eyes will be on the response from Kejriwal as the ACB’s probe unfolds. That could affect the post-election scenario in Delhi in ways unforeseen at present.