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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Feb 08, 2025, 04:15:13 IST
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ACB sends notice to Kejriwal to join probe into allegations of poaching against BJP
Delhi Elections 2025 Live Updates: Anti-Corruption Bureau officers reached the home of Aam Aadmi Party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal has claimed that BJP was attempting to lure AAP MLAs with Rs 15-16 crore to defect to their party, before the Delhi vote counting begins.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday also accused the BJP of attempting to bribe AAP legislators ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results. Singh claimed that BJP operatives had contacted seven AAP MLAs, offering them Rs 15 crore each to switch parties.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the allegations, pointing out that Delhi chief minister Atishi had previously faced legal trouble for making similar claims. He argued that Singh’s accusations stemmed from AAP’s frustration, as the party sensed an impending electoral defeat.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal echoed Singh’s allegations on X, stating that in the last two hours, 16 AAP candidates had received calls offering money and ministerial positions if they defected. He questioned, “If BJP is truly winning over 55 seats, why are they trying to poach our candidates?” Kejriwal claimed that misleading surveys were being used to create pressure but insisted that AAP members would not break ranks.
Sachdeva countered that AAP leaders were panicking due to public rejection, resorting to baseless accusations in desperation. He demanded that Singh either retract his statement and apologize or face legal action.
Singh, however, remained defiant, referring to BJP’s alleged efforts as “Operation Lotus.” He urged AAP MLAs to record any calls or meetings offering inducements, using hidden cameras if necessary, to expose BJP’s tactics. He insisted that BJP had already conceded defeat, saying multiple AAP candidates had confirmed receiving such offers.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Thursday also accused the BJP of attempting to bribe AAP legislators ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results. Singh claimed that BJP operatives had contacted seven AAP MLAs, offering them Rs 15 crore each to switch parties.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the allegations, pointing out that Delhi chief minister Atishi had previously faced legal trouble for making similar claims. He argued that Singh’s accusations stemmed from AAP’s frustration, as the party sensed an impending electoral defeat.
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal echoed Singh’s allegations on X, stating that in the last two hours, 16 AAP candidates had received calls offering money and ministerial positions if they defected. He questioned, “If BJP is truly winning over 55 seats, why are they trying to poach our candidates?” Kejriwal claimed that misleading surveys were being used to create pressure but insisted that AAP members would not break ranks.
Sachdeva countered that AAP leaders were panicking due to public rejection, resorting to baseless accusations in desperation. He demanded that Singh either retract his statement and apologize or face legal action.
Singh, however, remained defiant, referring to BJP’s alleged efforts as “Operation Lotus.” He urged AAP MLAs to record any calls or meetings offering inducements, using hidden cameras if necessary, to expose BJP’s tactics. He insisted that BJP had already conceded defeat, saying multiple AAP candidates had confirmed receiving such offers.
08:51 (IST) Feb 07
The Delhi election office has set up 19 centres across the city for the counting of votes on February 8.
Delhi’s chief electoral officer R Alice Vaz said on Thursday that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were securely stored in 70 strong rooms, each for one assembly constituency, under multi-layered security across 19 locations.
The EVMs, containing the votes cast by over 60% of 1.56 crore voters, were transported to the strong rooms of the respective constituencies from the polling stations under heavy security within hours of the conclusion of voting on Wednesday. Officials said the EVMs would be brought in batches to the counting tables on Saturday under the watchful eyes of the counting officials and security personnel.
Delhi’s chief electoral officer R Alice Vaz said on Thursday that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were securely stored in 70 strong rooms, each for one assembly constituency, under multi-layered security across 19 locations.
The EVMs, containing the votes cast by over 60% of 1.56 crore voters, were transported to the strong rooms of the respective constituencies from the polling stations under heavy security within hours of the conclusion of voting on Wednesday. Officials said the EVMs would be brought in batches to the counting tables on Saturday under the watchful eyes of the counting officials and security personnel.
08:49 (IST) Feb 07
AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Thursday alleged that BJP was bribing legislators of AAP to jump ship ahead of the Delhi assembly election results.
Singh claimed that BJP had called up seven AAP MLAs who have contested the Delhi elections and offered them Rs 15 crore each to join the BJP.
Hitting back, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that Singh must not forget that chief minister Atishi was out on bail in acase against her for making similar false allegations against BJP. He said that the allegations were a result of Singh’s frustration as he knows his party was about to lose the assembly polls.
Singh claimed that BJP had called up seven AAP MLAs who have contested the Delhi elections and offered them Rs 15 crore each to join the BJP.
Hitting back, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that Singh must not forget that chief minister Atishi was out on bail in acase against her for making similar false allegations against BJP. He said that the allegations were a result of Singh’s frustration as he knows his party was about to lose the assembly polls.
08:47 (IST) Feb 07
On Thursday, after an exhausting and combative electioneering, the candidates were finally able to spend time with their families, engage in leisure activities and quietly prepare for the Feb 8 counting.
Congress candidate Farhad Suri, who took on AAP’s Manish Sisodia and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in Jangpura, opted for a quiet evening. As is his tradition, he visited his mother’s grave, had a relaxed dinner with his family and caught up on much-needed sleep. Sisodia was also able to finally unwind. After relishing a peaceful cup of tea with party workers, he was with his family till late in the evening — something he had scarcely managed in the campaign period.
“For weeks, I wore kurtapyjamas every day. Today, I finally got to relax in casual wear,” smiled Abhishek Dutt, the Congress candidate in Kasturba Nagar. His party colleague and Kalkaji candidate Alka Lamba made sure to spend some time with her pet dog. AAP’s Durgesh Pathak, a con testant from Rajendra Nagar, had a special reason to stay home — his newborn daughter. “She is just 40 days old. Electioneering did not give me time for her. Today I dedicated the entire day to being with her,” said a relaxed Pathak.
Congress candidate Farhad Suri, who took on AAP’s Manish Sisodia and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in Jangpura, opted for a quiet evening. As is his tradition, he visited his mother’s grave, had a relaxed dinner with his family and caught up on much-needed sleep. Sisodia was also able to finally unwind. After relishing a peaceful cup of tea with party workers, he was with his family till late in the evening — something he had scarcely managed in the campaign period.
“For weeks, I wore kurtapyjamas every day. Today, I finally got to relax in casual wear,” smiled Abhishek Dutt, the Congress candidate in Kasturba Nagar. His party colleague and Kalkaji candidate Alka Lamba made sure to spend some time with her pet dog. AAP’s Durgesh Pathak, a con testant from Rajendra Nagar, had a special reason to stay home — his newborn daughter. “She is just 40 days old. Electioneering did not give me time for her. Today I dedicated the entire day to being with her,” said a relaxed Pathak.
08:46 (IST) Feb 07
Exit poll projections suggest that Congress faces an uphill comeback battle in this election, despite its eleventh-hour effort.
Even with the potential of victory in two or three constituencies, the key question that remains is if the party will revive its vote share in the assembly.
Abhishek Dutt, the party's candidate from the Kasturba Nagar assembly constituency, dismissed the exit poll numbers. He spoke about a stronger ground-level performance. “People have seen through AAP's failures, and the party's convener Arvind Kejriwal is no longer the popular face of Delhi. Also, in my constituency, there is a direct fight between Congress and BJP, so the question of cutting AAP’s votes doesn’t arise,” he said.
Even with the potential of victory in two or three constituencies, the key question that remains is if the party will revive its vote share in the assembly.
Abhishek Dutt, the party's candidate from the Kasturba Nagar assembly constituency, dismissed the exit poll numbers. He spoke about a stronger ground-level performance. “People have seen through AAP's failures, and the party's convener Arvind Kejriwal is no longer the popular face of Delhi. Also, in my constituency, there is a direct fight between Congress and BJP, so the question of cutting AAP’s votes doesn’t arise,” he said.
08:41 (IST) Feb 07
Delhi Elections 2025 Live: Exit polls predict victory, but cautious BJP decides to wait for declaration of results
While the exit polls predicted a comfortable majority for BJP in the capital, the party did not overtly rejoice on Thursday, choosing instead to retain caution before the actual results on Saturday. Senior BJP functionaries remained optimistic of securing over 40 of the 70 seats but reined in the state unit from engaging in any premature celebration.
“We sensed anti-incumbency on the ground, so we are confident of a victory,” said a saffron senior. “But we haven’t had a very good experience with exit polls in the past so, we will wait for the actual results on Feb 8.”
The BJP office on Thursday saw state president Virendra Sachdeva meeting members, evaluating polling reports and carrying out seat-wise assessments. Later, he also met media persons, expressing confidence that the party would emerge triumphant. “It was a hectic election, but I am sure that the result is going to be very rewarding. People living in the jhuggis voted for us this time in large numbers,” Sachdeva claimed.
“We sensed anti-incumbency on the ground, so we are confident of a victory,” said a saffron senior. “But we haven’t had a very good experience with exit polls in the past so, we will wait for the actual results on Feb 8.”
The BJP office on Thursday saw state president Virendra Sachdeva meeting members, evaluating polling reports and carrying out seat-wise assessments. Later, he also met media persons, expressing confidence that the party would emerge triumphant. “It was a hectic election, but I am sure that the result is going to be very rewarding. People living in the jhuggis voted for us this time in large numbers,” Sachdeva claimed.
08:40 (IST) Feb 07
Voter turnout on Wednesday, according to the Election Commission's data, was notably lower in the middle-class neighbourhoods of the city, particularly in south Delhi. In 33 of the 70 constituencies, the polling percentage was less than the city's overall figure of 60.4%. Social observers attributed the lack of interest in the election mainly to disenchantment with politics brought about by the constant bickering between authorities in the capital.
Mehrauli had the lowest turnout at 53% of eligible voters, down from 56.7% in the 2020 assembly polls. The constituency is a mix of upscale colonies and village areas and a breakdown would possibly show lower polling in the upscale areas of Saket, Vasant Kunj and urban villages like Lado Sarai, Katwaria Sarai and Ber Sarai.
Mehrauli had the lowest turnout at 53% of eligible voters, down from 56.7% in the 2020 assembly polls. The constituency is a mix of upscale colonies and village areas and a breakdown would possibly show lower polling in the upscale areas of Saket, Vasant Kunj and urban villages like Lado Sarai, Katwaria Sarai and Ber Sarai.
Anti-Corruption Bureau officers reached the home of Aam Aadmi Party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal has claimed that BJP was attempting to lure AAP MLAs with Rs 15-16 crore to defect to their party, before the Delhi vote counting begins.
Meanwhile, for the counting of votes on February 8, the Delhi election office has established 19 counting centres across the city. Chief electoral officer R Alice Vaz confirmed on Thursday that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are securely stored in 70 strong rooms—one per assembly constituency—under multiple layers of security at these locations.
Following the conclusion of voting on February 7, in which over 60% of Delhi’s 1.56 crore voters participated, the EVMs were transported under heavy security to their respective strong rooms. On counting day, officials will retrieve them in batches under strict supervision.
Vaz assured that all necessary security measures are in place, following Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols. A three-tier security system guards the strong rooms, with central armed paramilitary forces securing the inner perimeter and state armed police monitoring the outer layers. The sealed strong room doors, along with building corridors, are under 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
Officials emphasized that each strong room has a single entry-exit point with a double-lock mechanism. Every access is videographed, and a logbook records visits by authorized personnel, including general observers, district electoral officers, and police officials. An operational control room has also been set up nearby to monitor movement, and no vehicles, including those of VIPs or officials, are allowed near the facility.
Meanwhile, for the counting of votes on February 8, the Delhi election office has established 19 counting centres across the city. Chief electoral officer R Alice Vaz confirmed on Thursday that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are securely stored in 70 strong rooms—one per assembly constituency—under multiple layers of security at these locations.
Following the conclusion of voting on February 7, in which over 60% of Delhi’s 1.56 crore voters participated, the EVMs were transported under heavy security to their respective strong rooms. On counting day, officials will retrieve them in batches under strict supervision.
Vaz assured that all necessary security measures are in place, following Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols. A three-tier security system guards the strong rooms, with central armed paramilitary forces securing the inner perimeter and state armed police monitoring the outer layers. The sealed strong room doors, along with building corridors, are under 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
Officials emphasized that each strong room has a single entry-exit point with a double-lock mechanism. Every access is videographed, and a logbook records visits by authorized personnel, including general observers, district electoral officers, and police officials. An operational control room has also been set up nearby to monitor movement, and no vehicles, including those of VIPs or officials, are allowed near the facility.
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