Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time MLA and a surprise pick for the Delhi cabinet by Arvind Kejriwal, has made explosive claims that he was offered Rs 15 crore and a ministerial berth to switch sides to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This allegation comes just days before the highly anticipated Delhi election results, intensifying the political battle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP.
AAP’s Allegation: BJP’s Alleged Attempt to Poach MLAs
Ahlawat, who serves as the Minister for Gurudwara Elections, SC & ST, Land & Building, Labour, and Employment, stated that he received a call from an unidentified number offering him a lucrative deal to abandon AAP.
मैं मर जाऊंगा, कट जाऊंगा लेकिन कभी @ArvindKejriwal जी का साथ नहीं छोडूंगा।
मुझे इस नंबर से फ़ोन आया। उसने बोला कि उनकी सरकार बन रही है, मंत्री बना देंगे और 15 करोड़ भी देंगे। “आप” छोड़ के आ जाओ।
मैं इनको कहना चाहता हूँ कि जो इज़्ज़त केजरीवाल जी ने और “आप” पार्टी ने मुझे दी है,… pic.twitter.com/ZrqIC0R4WD
— Mukesh Ahlawat (@mukeshahlawatap) February 6, 2025
अगर गाली गलौज पार्टी की 50 से ज़्यादा सीटें आ रही हैं, तो यह हमारे प्रत्याशियों को संपर्क कर के तोड़ने की कोशिश क्यों कर रहे हैं?
यह दिखा रहा है कि एक्ज़िट पोल एक साज़िश हैं आम आदमी पार्टी के विधायक तोड़ने की! https://t.co/3kKjiC4EQ4
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 6, 2025
“I could die, I may be chopped, but I will never abandon Arvind Kejriwal,” he declared. “I got a call from this number and I was told their government is being formed. (They said) they would make me a minister and give me Rs 15 crore if I leave AAP and join them.”
ALSO READ: Delhi LG orders probe into AAP allegation of BJP attempt to poach candidates
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi amplified Ahlawat’s claim, sharing his post online. Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, alleging that exit polls predicting a BJP victory were “fake surveys” designed to pressure AAP MLAs into defecting.
BJP’s Response: Denial and Legal Threats
The BJP has outrightly denied these allegations, dismissing them as an act of desperation from the AAP, which is allegedly facing an electoral setback. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva challenged AAP leader Sanjay Singh to either withdraw the accusations and apologize or face legal consequences.
“Sanjay Singh should either retract his allegations and tender an apology or face legal action,” said Sachdeva, reminding Singh that Arvind Kejriwal is already entangled in a defamation case.
Exit Polls and Political Speculation
Delhi went to the polls on February 5, with results scheduled to be announced on February 8. While exit polls have given an edge to the BJP, AAP has countered the predictions, accusing the opposition of engaging in conspiracies to weaken their party.
“If they are getting more than 50 seats, then why are they trying to break our candidates by contacting them? This shows that the exit polls are a conspiracy to break the Aam Aadmi Party MLAs,” Atishi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
ALSO READ: 3 more exit polls predict BJP’s return to Delhi for first time since 1998
Kejriwal further asserted that the alleged poaching attempts prove the BJP’s nervousness. “If the party is getting more than 55 seats, then what is the need to poach our candidates? These fake surveys were conducted with the sole aim of poaching some candidates. But not even one of us will bend.”
With just days to go until the final results, this political storm has further escalated tensions in the national capital. The outcome on February 8 will determine whether the AAP retains its stronghold or if the BJP successfully ends the decade-long rule of Arvind Kejriwal’s party.
