Kejriwal’s Minister Atishi Raises Poaching Allegations Against BJP

Atishi, Delhi’s Education Minister and a key Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to poach AAP leaders. In a startling revelation, she claimed that BJP threatened several AAP colleagues, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak, and Raghav Chadha, with imminent arrest unless they switched sides. Atishi made these allegations during what she described as a revealing exposé, where she detailed a coercive strategy allegedly employed by the BJP. This strategy included potential raids on her home and her relatives’ residences, followed by legal summons for herself and others.

These accusations emerged just a day after the Enforcement Directorate mentioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s involvement in the excise policy scam case, where Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were named. According to reports, Kejriwal stated during questioning that Vijay Nair, a central figure in the case and a former head of AAP’s media communication cell, reported to Minister Atishi.

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Atishi asserted that the BJP’s actions were fueled by their discomfort over the recent success of the INDIA bloc’s Ramlila Maidan rally and AAP’s protests against Kejriwal’s arrest. In response to the AAP leaders’ allegations, the Delhi BJP chief suggested internal discord within AAP, pointing to Kejriwal’s statement regarding Nair’s connection to Atishi and Bharadwaj. He implied that Atishi’s efforts to shield herself may have inadvertently embroiled Chadha and Pathak.

The recent arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal and his subsequent judicial custody till April 15 have further intensified the political turmoil in Delhi. AAP leaders have continued to stage protests outside Tihar jail, condemning the actions of the central government. Sunita Kejriwal, wife of the incarcerated CM, condemned what she termed as “dictatorial actions” by the Centre, expressing confidence in the people’s ability to challenge such oppression.

These allegations and subsequent events have thrust AAP into a tumultuous period, with internal rifts exacerbated by external pressures. Atishi’s claims highlight the intensity of political maneuvering and the high stakes involved in Delhi’s political landscape. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how AAP will navigate these challenges and whether the BJP will respond to the accusations leveled against them.