Story highlights
Speaking at a press conference, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi claimed that she was approached via one of her close aides to join the BJP
A day after declaring that she would make an explosive expose, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi minister Atishi Marlena Singh alleged on Tuesday (Apr 2) that she was told to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. She also alleged that she was threatened with arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for failing to do so.
Threatened by BJP, says Atishi
Speaking at a press conference, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi claimed that she was approached via one of her close aides to join the BJP party. She added that she was told that doing so could help save her political career and that she was threatened that if she failed to join the BJP within a month, she would be arrested by the ED.
Atishi also claimed that the person told her that Modi and his party had “made up their mind” to “destroy the AAP party and all its leaders”.
Watch what she said:
#WATCH | Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi says, “BJP through one of my close aides approached me to join their party to save my political career and If I do not join the BJP then in the coming one month I will be arrested by ED…” pic.twitter.com/Q1PRwZbm2C
— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2024
Previously, Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of being the ruling party BJP’s political weapon.
Her claims come as Delhi Chief Minister, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, remains in custody till April 15.
BJP reacts to Atishi’s claims
In response to Atishi’s allegation that the BJP tried to coerce her into joining them or face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has accused Arvind Kejriwal of fooling her.
“No one except Arvind Kejriwal has fooled you. He has destroyed several lives before her,” said Sirsa in a video statement.
आप वालों का वही पुराना पैंतरा!!
आतिशी जी आज प्रेस कांफ्रेंस करके कह रही हैं कि उन्हें BJP से “किसी ने” ऑफ़र किया है
उस “किसी” का नाम तो बता दीजिये आतिशी जी! वैसे आप जैसे भ्रष्ट लोगों को BJP पार्टी में लेना तो दूर; ऑफ़िस के आगे से भी क़तई निकलने ना देवैसे ED को आपका नाम केजरीवाल… pic.twitter.com/rAlHdt41i3
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (मोदी का परिवार) (@mssirsa) April 2, 2024
He challenged Atishi to reveal the name of her close aide, who allegedly received the threat from the BJP.
“Atishi claims that he has gotten a message. She should reveal the name of her close aide so that the ED can arrest him.”
Sirsa stated that the BJP would not accept a corrupt leader like Atishi “and will not allow her to even walk outside its office”.
He also hinted at a power struggle within the AAP, suggesting that Kejriwal wants to put them in jail instead of making them Chief Minister.
“When Arvind Kejriwal gave their names to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), they felt that they are the next in line because Kejriwal has given them away.”
“This is because Arvind Kejriwal does not want to make them Chief Minister. He wants to put them in jail. So they are scared,” he said.
Other BJP leaders, including Harish Khurana and RP Singh, supported Sirsa’s stance, accusing Atishi of creating a sensation and diverting attention from real issues. They claimed there is an internal tussle within the AAP for the Chief Minister’s post.
“This is their internal tussle, which is coming out again and again in different manners. The truth is that action will be taken against all whose names are involved in the matter…It is clear that the fight for the CM post has begun in AAP. Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi are on one side and Sunita Kejriwal and Arvind Kejriwal are on the other side,” said Singh.
(With inputs from agencies)