K. V. Seetharamaiah
Poaching of MLAs or MPs is a very serious issue. It is no secret that poaching of MLAs or MPs has been going on quite sometime. No political party is inexperienced in the art of horse trading. Since horse trading has been the part of political life, allegations of horse trading are levelled even when there is none. Political statements are generally not taken very seriously. When political statements have wider ramifications threatening the political future, the aggrieved persons knock at the door of police stations and courts. At all the times, politicians making statements of far-reaching effects cannot go scot-free. Those levelling bribery charges against another person or another parry must be in possession of adequate proof to substantiate the charges.
Now Delhi Police Crime Branch officials have once again arrived at the residence of Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi to serve notice in connection with the charges accusing BJP of making attempt to buy AAP MLAs.
Of the total strength of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly, AAP has won 62 seats and BJP 8 seats. The allegation is that the BJP has offered Rs. 25 crore to each of the 7 AAP MLAs allegedly contacted. If these 7 MLAs fall into the net of BJP, BJP’s tally in the Delhi Assembly raises to 15. The magic figure for formation of government is 36. In that case BJP needs another 21 seats even if it is assumed that the 7 MLAs are unofficially in the pockets of BJP. Voluntary defections in massive scale from the ruling party can only destabilise a popular government. If the BJP cannot form the government with an addition of 7 MLAs to its stock of 8 MLAs, why would BJP lose Rs. 275 crore for no political gains? Even a layman can understand that BJP cannot dislodge the Kejriwal government at Delhi. Moreover, Anti-defection Law ooerates. Having levelled allegations of horse trading by BJP, the burden of proof rests with the AAP to prove the charges. Response has been sought from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to allegations that BJP tried to attract 7 MLAs.
The credibility of AAP has nosedived following the alleged involvement of Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in liquor gate scam. Kejriwal has skipped the summons from Enforcement Directorate (ED) 5 times. It is self declaration from Kejriwal that the summonses issued by ED are illegal. Hemant Soren avoided ED enquiry 9 times and attended after the 10th summons was issued. Enquiry is an opportunity to prove innocence. If the enquiry officer is found to be one-sided, his findings are not final. They are subject to judicial scrutiny. Kejriwal rode to the seat of power on the plank of India-against-Corruption under the leadership of Anna Hazare. Skipping the enquiry is postponement of the problem. Kejriwal would do well to appear before ED and come clean if he is innocent. If his claim of innocence is disproved, he must face the legal implications. His repeated abstention from attending to the ED enquiry gives the signal that the investigating agencies can be taken for granted. An innocent person can have nothing to fear the investigating agencies. The more Kejriwal tries to avoid the ED, the more the suspicion about his involvement grows in the eyes of public. Trouble will never end. Rather, it aggravates. The latest report from Bengaluru is that Suresh Gowda of BJP has been exonerated from the charges of ‘operation’ lotus by a Special Court.
