Amidst the ongoing investigation of the irregularities found in the Delhi government’s New Excise Policy, a political slugfest has ensued between AAP and BJP.
AAP has claimed that BJP offered money to its legislators in lieu of them switching sides.
In order to discuss the “poaching” attempts by the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, had called a crucial meet of all AAP MLAs at his residence on Thursday. However, it has been reported that at least a dozen AAP MLAs have gone incommunicado ahead of a crucial meeting, raising alarm bells.
The meeting was scheduled to begin at 11 am.
Reports claimed that 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 AAP sources said, ''Let them get in touch with us first.''
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 government's liquor scam.
Since the CBI raid at Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Excise, Manish Sisodia’s residence, the AAP has gone on an offensive accusing the BJP of unleashing ED and CBI to hinder its work.
The BJP, however, is questioning AAP on the reason for it withdrawing the New Excise Policy if there was no wrongdoing.
(with inputs from PTI)
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