AAP vs BJP: Kejriwal's trust vote postponed due to ruckus
Amid high political tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the trust vote tabled by CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Assembly was postponed to Tuesday. After multiple showdowns, the session was adjourned several times. Later, it was adjourned till 11:00 am on Tuesday. Kejriwal tabled the confidence motion amid BJP's alleged attempt to "topple" the Delhi government.
Why does this story matter?
The BJP and AAP have been embroiled in a scathing political battle over alleged corruption in the Delhi liquor policy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the same case earlier in August. The development comes at a time when intelligence agency (CBI/ED/IT) raids against opposition leaders have raised concerns about their misuse by the BJP-led central government.
Kejriwal tables motion, attacks BJP
In an all-out attack against the Centre, Kejriwal alleged the BJP has "bought" 277 MLAs across various states to topple different governments. "The BJP tried to buy our legislators too. Through this confidence motion, we wanted to show...that no AAP MLA has been bought," he said. The AAP chief alleged the BJP is using public money to buy MLAs and tabled the confidence motion.
'I needed to submit a trust motion': Kejriwal
BJP offered Rs. 20cr each to AAP MLAs: Kejriwal
After alleging that BJP had offered Rs. 20 crore to AAP MLAs to roll over, Kejriwal said on Sunday, "I want to bring a motion of confidence in the Assembly." The AAP chief wishes to prove that BJP's "Operation Lotus Delhi" had become "Operation Kichad (mud pile)." "Operation Lotus" is purportedly a BJP tactic used to topple governments in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
Trust vote after AAP's show of strength
Kejriwal further alleged the BJP does not want to fight against corruption but wants to grab power by deceit with "Operation Lotus." After claiming the BJP wants to take 40 AAP MLAs to topple their government, Kejriwal called for a meeting to showcase the party's strength last week. He is now set to undergo a trust vote on Tuesday.
What is the seat share in Delhi Assembly?
How has the saffron party responded?
The BJP dismissed the AAP's claims and said the party was indulging in "theatrics" to divert attention, reported Zee News. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted on Monday, "Who has asked for a Confidence Motion in Delhi Assembly? No one. It is just a desperate ploy to distract from the liquor excise (sic)." The saffron party also denied poaching allegations leveled by the AAP.
AAP's show of strength
As mentioned earlier, Kejriwal chaired a meeting with his MLAs at his residence last week amid allegations of an "MLA buyout." While 53 of 62 MLAs showed up, the remaining confirmed their loyalties virtually. Kejriwal and AAP MLAs visited the Rajghat later and prayed for the failure of "Operation Lotus" at Mahatma Gandhi's grave. "Not a single MLA has accepted BJP's offer," Kejriwal claimed.
'Won't bow down,' says Sisodia
Last week, Sisodia alleged that the BJP had contacted him to join the party saying all cases against him would be closed. "I want to say to the BJP—I am the descendant of Maharana Pratap. I will cut off my head but won't bow down in front of the corrupt," he tweeted. The AAP leader also stressed that all cases against him are false.
What exactly is the CBI probing?
The CBI is looking into three allegations: -Delhi's now-scrapped excise policy resulted in a massive loss for public coffers. -Retail outlets were given to ineligible players. -The AAP government reportedly profited from kickbacks and "commissions." On July 30, Sisodia, who oversees Delhi's Excise Department, announced a reversal of the policy and stated that starting August 1, only government establishments would sell alcohol in Delhi.
