Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), received a notice from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday, asking for evidence to back up his claims of bribery against the BJP. The notice includes Kejriwal's and other AAP leaders' allegations of "Operation Lotus," in which they alleged BJP of attempting to buy lawmakers.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has asked the AAP chief to provide the names of 16 AAP MLAs who were allegedly offered a ₹15 crore bribe by the BJP to switch parties. The ACB has also asked for the contact numbers and other details of the people who approached these MLAs. "Provide details of the 16 AAP MLAs who received phone calls related to bribery offers. Share details of the phone numbers/persons who contacted the above-mentioned MLAs with bribery offers. Present the evidence and proof that substantiate the bribery allegations made by you and your party members on various media/social media platforms," the notice read.

"Clarify why appropriate legal action should not be taken against individuals spreading such information on media/social media platforms, which could create fear and unrest among the people of Delhi," it added.

Earlier today, there was a dramatic scene outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence when an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) team was stopped from entering. They had arrived to question the AAP chief regarding his bribery allegations against the BJP. This incident happened just a day before the vote counting in Delhi. It followed an order from Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, directing the ACB to investigate AAP's "Operation Lotus" claims against the BJP.  Kejriwal's lawyer claimed the ACB lacked the authority to intervene. "They don't have any documents. All this is a conspiracy by the BJP to create a political drama," he said.

The controversy revolves around AAP's accusation that the BJP tried to lure its candidates with Rs 15 crore each to switch parties. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier claimed that 16 of his party's candidates were offered this amount along with ministerial positions if they agreed to defect. On Friday, the Lt Governor issued an order following a complaint from Delhi BJP Secretary Vishnu Mittal regarding the AAP's allegations. The AAP leaders did not provide any proof or evidence to support their claims, Mittal wrote in his letter to Saxena. "The allegations levelled by Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh are very serious in nature and call for serious and immediate investigation," Mittal wrote. "The elections concluded two days ago and by spreading such false and misleading information, he is trying to create panic and a situation of unrest in Delhi," the BJP leader stated and requested the Lt Governor to deploy the ACB to conduct a probe.

Shortly after, Ashish Kundra, the Principal Secretary to the Lt. Governor, stated in a note that Saxena had directed the ACB to investigate the allegations. AAP leader Sanjay Singh then told reporters, "We want action into the allegations, while the BJP only wants to do drama." He further said, "Let the ACB conduct their inquiry. I am heading to the ACB office with my lawyer to lodge a complaint."

In response to a reporter's question regarding the BJP's assertion that he lacked proof for his assertion, the AAP MP stated, "I spoke about it (allegations) in front of the media yesterday. What evidence are they asking for? I mentioned a phone number which made the offer to the AAP candidates. What other evidence do you want?” AAP leader Sanjay Singh filed a complaint with the ACB, providing details of individuals who approached AAP candidates. In his complaint, he shared the mobile numbers of the accused and stated that Mukesh Ahlawat was offered ₹15 crore along with a ministerial position as an incentive. 

AAP's legal cell head, Sanjeev Nasiar, told India Today TV that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) did not have the necessary legal notice when they arrived at Arvind Kejriwal's residence for questioning. He clarified that AAP is willing for Kejriwal’s statement to be recorded but emphasised that it should be done by following the proper legal process. "ACB itself admitted to not having the legal notice in their possession. There was no legal notice inside the yellow envelope presented by the authorities. The legal team will review the sections under which the statement is being sought once the official notice is received. We are ready to get Arvind Kejriwal’s statement recorded, but due process needs to be followed," Nasiar said.

Sources have reported that the ACB has set up three teams to investigate the matter. Sanjay Singh is currently giving his statement at the agency's office, while officials will visit the residences of Kejriwal and AAP Minister Mukesh Kumar Ahlawat to record their statements. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after exit polls predicted the BJP's return to power in the capital after 27 years. On average, five exit polls suggest that the BJP may win 39 seats, crossing the majority mark of 36.

Meanwhile, AAP, which was hoping for a third consecutive victory, is expected to get 30 seats. However, AAP leader Reena Gupta dismissed these predictions, pointing out that past exit polls in 2013, 2015, and 2020 were not always accurate. Delhi voters cast their ballots on Wednesday in a tough three-way contest between AAP, BJP, and Congress. The overall voter turnout was 60.55%. The votes will be counted, and the results announced on Saturday.