New Delhi, February 8, 2025: A day ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has sought evidence from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh regarding their allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to poach AAP candidates.
On Thursday, Kejriwal and AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of launching ‘Operation Lotus’ in Delhi, claiming that the party had offered bribes of ₹15 crore each to 16 AAP leaders to switch sides. They also claimed to have details of a phone number from which one candidate had received a call.
Following these allegations, an ACB team visited Kejriwal’s residence on Friday but was denied access due to the absence of an official warrant or relevant documents. Later, the agency issued a notice to both Kejriwal and AAP leader Mukesh Ahlawat, who had made similar claims, asking them to provide details and evidence supporting their accusations.
The ACB notice requested Kejriwal to confirm whether he had personally posted a tweet regarding the allegations. It also demanded information on the 16 AAP candidates who allegedly received bribe offers, along with phone numbers or identities of the individuals who approached them. Additionally, the agency questioned why legal action should not be taken against those making such claims on social media, as they could cause “panic and unrest” in Delhi.
With vote counting set to begin on Saturday, the allegations have further intensified the political tension in the capital. The AAP has yet to formally respond to the ACB’s notice.
