AAP Doing Theatrics To Divert Attention From Excise 'Scam', Alleges BJP Amid Poaching Claims

On AAP leaders' tribute to Mahatama Gandhi at Raj Ghat, the BJP said that the visit denotes their act of sin and the BJP workers will sprinkle Ganga Jal on the Samadhi to "purify it".

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday countered the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's poaching allegations and AAP leaders' visit to the Raj Ghat by claiming that the leadership was doing theatrics to divert the attention from the Delhi excise policy case.

"We are consistently asking them to be precise on excise, but they are doing theatrics to divert the attention.  We are asking pointed questions to APP. However, they are beating around the bush and evading questions," BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said interacting with the media at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

The response comes as the AAP alleged that 40 of its Delhi MLAs were targeted by the BJP with an offer of Rs 20 crore each to dislodge the AAP government. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal with party MLAs paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi on Thursday.

Addressing the press conference, BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from West Delhi Parvesh Verma remarked that the AAP Leaders are "bound to go behind the bars for the corruption they have committed because the investigative agencies have all the incriminating evidence."

Parvesh Verma said the BJP will answer AAP's questions only after the ruling party presents its response to claims about the alleged excise scam. "Kejriwal Ji, if you are unable to trace any of your MLAs, please let us know. We will help you find them out," he jibed in reference to the allegation of BJP poaching AAP legislators.

Mounting an attack on the liquor policy, Lok Sabha MP from West Delhi asked: "Why did AAP not follow the recommendations of the excise committee? Why did they increase the commission of the L1 from 2% to 12%? They have failed to answer these questions."

On AAP leaders' visit to the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that "the fact that they have gone to the Samadhi means they have definitely committed an act which is to be considered a sin. So, in order to purify it, the BJP workers will sprinkle Ganga Jal on the Samadhi."

'BJP Has Kept Rs 800 Crore For Toppling Delhi Govt, Is It From GST Or PM CARES Fund?': CM Arvind Kejriwal

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting of AAP MLAs and claimed that the BJP is "offering Rs 20 crore each" to AAP MLAs with a design "to topple the Delhi government".

He questioned the source of the Rs 800 crore allegedly offered by the BJP to 40 AAP MLAs for switching sides, "They (BJP) offered Rs 20 crore each to our MLAs. They have kept Rs 800 crore for toppling the Delhi government. But the citizens of the country want to know about the source of this money. Is it from GST or the PM CARES Fund? Have some of their friends given them this money?", as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Delhi Chief Minister assured that the AAP legislators are loyal and won't betray the voters: "I am extremely happy that no MLA has yielded under pressure. They (BJP) want to poach 40 MLAs but I want to tell the people of Delhi that they have voted for a hardcore honest government. Neither me nor my MLAs and ministers will betray the country and be sold out."

All 62 of AAP legislators were accounted for during a meeting at Kejriwal's residence, PTI reported.