Kejriwal

New Delhi, Sept. 8: Arvind Kejriwal today released video images purportedly showing BJP leaders trying to buy the support of an Aam Aadmi Party MLA, forcing an embarrassed BJP to reassess whether to continue with government-formation efforts in Delhi.

The “sting” claims to show Delhi BJP vice-president Sher Singh Dagar and his party colleague Raghuvir Dahiya offering money to Dinesh Mohania to defect, though no specific sum seems to be mentioned.

The BJP distanced itself from any such move and issued a “show-cause notice” to Dagar, who sources said could even be expelled to protect the party’s image.

A senior leader hinted the BJP might rethink its government-formation plans but added that a parliamentary board meeting tomorrow would take the final decision. The BJP was awaiting an invite from lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung, who last week secured the President’s nod to explore government formation.

“We’ll submit the raw footage before the Supreme Court tomorrow,” Kejriwal said. “We won’t allow the BJP to form a government by dishonest means.”

Tomorrow, a constitution bench is to hear an Aam Aadmi Party petition seeking fresh elections in Delhi, which has been under central rule since Kejriwal quit as chief minister in February.

Mohania claimed he had been approached a month ago and had immediately informed his party, which organised the “expose”. Apparently, an associate he had taken along to Dagar’s home yesterday did the camerawork.

Kejriwal claimed Mohania was offered around Rs 4 crore to resign and join the BJP. He said the party could not show money changing hands because Mohania didn’t risk taking any — the BJP had allegedly demanded his “custody” as soon as he received the first instalment.

After initially moving to defend Dagar by questioning the video’s authenticity, the BJP distanced itself from him.

It texted reporters about a news conference by Dagar and national spokesperson Sambit Patra at the party office, only to shift the venue to Dagar’s home. Patra dropped out, leaving Dagar to defend himself, Dahiya by his side.

Dagar said Mohania had expressed an interest in joining the BJP and had therefore come to his home.

“I never offered him money. The party is free to hold an inquiry: if I’m found guilty I’ll quit politics,” he said.

Party sources accused “overenthusiastic” state leaders of acting without consultations and “messing up everything”.

“The right hand didn’t know what the left was doing,” a party senior claimed. “We don’t want to be seen engaging in horse-trading.”

The party fears that if it goes ahead, there could be more stings by Kejriwal, who claims the BJP has its sights on four to five Aam Aadmi Party lawmakers.

Today’s footage suggests that Mohania was asked to resign from the House and join the BJP. “They promised me a BJP ticket for the by-election, and a plum post even if I lost,” the Sangam Vihar MLA said.

Aam Aadmi Party sources claimed their MLAs were being lured to resign in order to lower the Assembly’s strength, and therefore the majority mark.

In a House reduced to 67 members after three BJP legislators switched to the Lok Sabha, the BJP and ally Akali Dal have a joint strength of 29 but need 34 votes.

The support of the lone Independent and the unattached Vinod Kumar Binny, expelled by the Aam Aadmi Party, can see the BJP through if the eight Congress members abstain during any floor test.

If they don’t, the BJP wouldn’t mind a few resignations from the Aam Aadmi Party’s 27 MLAs.