Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed again that the BJP was trying to poach his party’s MLAs in the capital.

While the BJP denied his claims, AAP sources said this was part of Kejriwal’s strategy to mobilise supporters in anticipation of his possible arrest by agencies investigating the Delhi liquor policy case in which two senior party leaders are behind bars awaiting trial.

The AAP national convener said in a statement: “Recently they (BJP functionaries) have contacted our seven MLAs of Delhi and said ‘we will arrest Kejriwal after a few days. After that we will make the AAP MLAs defect. Talks have been held with 21 MLAs. Talking to other AAP MLAs also. After that we will topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. You can also join. Will give (you) Rs 25 crore and BJP ticket to contest the elections.”

Kejriwal has made similar claims on several occasions. However, no MLAs or municipal councillors have defected so far.

Delhi BJP vice-president Kapil Mishra termed the allegations false and demanded specific details from the chief minister.

A party leader told The Telegraph that the pull from the BJP and the push from the AAP have left the MLAs vulnerable. “In the (2022) municipal polls, the recommendations of candidates from several MLAs were ignored. These MLAs see these newly elected councillors as their future replacements. The chief minister has himself said on several occasions that at least 20 MLAs will be dropped.”

The source added: “The lieutenant governor has stalled the funding of several projects.... There are MLAs coming to senior leaders every day to ask for funds. If the chief minister is arrested, what choice will the bulk of MLAs have but to join the BJP to save their seats, if possible?”