Delhi LG VK Saxena Orders Probe Into AAP's Horse Trading Charge Against BJP

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday to investigate the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) allegations of "Operation Lotus" against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This move comes a day before the results of the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections are set to be announced on Saturday.

On Thursday, AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed that the BJP had offered Rs 15 crore to each of seven AAP candidates to defect. He alleged that the candidates had even received calls from the BJP a day after the elections for the 70-member Assembly had concluded on Wednesday.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also took to Twitter, claiming that the BJP had offered Rs 15 crore to 16 candidates in exchange for making them ministers.

The Lt Governor's order was prompted by a formal complaint filed by Delhi BJP Secretary Vishnu Mittal, reported India Today.

"The allegations made by Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh are very serious and warrant an immediate and thorough investigation," Mittal said in his letter to Saxena. He added that the AAP leaders had failed to provide any evidence to support their claims.

"The elections concluded two days ago, and by spreading such false and misleading information, they are attempting to create panic and unrest in Delhi," Mittal argued, urging the Lt Governor to deploy the ACB for a probe.

Ashish Kundra, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor, confirmed that Saxena had ordered the ACB to look into the allegations, following the BJP's complaint which described the claims as "false and baseless" and aimed at damaging the party's reputation and creating unrest in the city post-polling.

Sanjay Singh, in response, remarked, "The BJP only wants drama, while we seek action on the allegations." He added, "Let the ACB conduct their inquiry. I am heading to the ACB office with my lawyer to file a complaint."

When asked about the BJP's assertion that he had no evidence to back his allegations, Singh responded, "I spoke about it (the allegations) in front of the media yesterday. What evidence are they asking for? I mentioned a phone number that made the offer to the AAP candidates. What more do you need?"

Sources have indicated that the ACB will investigate three numbers allegedly used to make the calls to AAP candidates. Teams from the agency have also been sent to the residences of Kejriwal, Singh, and Mukesh Ahlawat in connection with the matter.

AAP's allegations against the BJP emerged after exit polls indicated that the latter was likely to return to power in the capital after a 27-year gap.

An average of five exit polls suggested that the BJP would secure 39 seats, well above the 36-seat majority, while AAP, hoping for a third consecutive win, was expected to be reduced to 30 seats.

However, AAP rejected the exit polls, with leader Reena Gupta pointing out the inaccuracies in similar forecasts in 2013, 2015, and 2020.

Delhi had voted on Wednesday in a competitive three-way contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress, with voter turnout at 60.55%. The counting of votes and the final results will be announced on Saturday.