BJP offered to make me CM and get cases withdrawn if I split AAP, says Manish Sisodia: Top developments

NEW DELHI: The war of words between the BJP and AAP got more intense on Monday with Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia making a sensational claim that the saffron party had promised him the chief ministerial post in Delhi if he broke up the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.
Sisodia further claimed that the BJP also promised that all the cases registered against him by the CBI and ED would be withdrawn if he split up the AAP. The BJP has strongly refuted the allegations.

Sisodia is among 15 people and entities named in an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi excise policy. His house was recently raided by the agency.
Here are the top developments through the day:
Got two offers from BJP, says Sisodia
Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on Monday, Sisodia said he was surprised when someone came to him with a message that he has "two offers" from the BJP. "The messenger said one was that all big cases registered against you by CBI-ED will be taken back. The other offer was that I break the party and they will make you chief minister," the AAP leader claimed.
"I gave a clear answer: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is my political guru and I have learnt politics from him'. I have not come into politics to be CM or PM," Sisodia said.
"I am an honest man. In fact, I am with the Kejriwal team because I am a "kattar imandar" (staunch honest) person. These fake cases are weak, and you can't threaten me with these," Sisodia said at the press conference.

Asked about the name of the persons who sent him message, Sisodia said: "The person who sent me message told me that he was behind making Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal, Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam, Narayan Rane and others join the BJP. He said I could trust him because he is the man who works on making people join the BJP." Sisodia, however, did not reveal the name of the messenger.
Will not bow to the corrupt: Delhi deputy CM
Earlier in the day, Sisodia took to Twitter to affirm his stance with the AAP, and said that he will prefer dying to bowing down to the "corrupt".

"My reply to the BJP is - I am a descendant of Maharana Pratap, a Rajput. I will cut off my head but will not bow down to the corrupt and those who conspire. All the cases against me are false. Do what you want to do," Sisodia tweeted.
Kejriwal big liar, his ministers bigger liars: BJP
Reacting to the allegations made by Sisodia, Union minister Anurag Thakur called Kejriwal a "big liar" and his ministers "bigger liars".
"Kejriwal is a big liar and it seems that his ministers are bigger liars," Thakur said, adding that the Kejriwal model of governance has failed as the focus of the AAP government in Delhi has shifted from "mohalla clinics to mohalla thekas (liquor vends)".

The BJP leader alleged that Kejriwal is the "kingpin of the liquor scam whereas Sisodia is the main accused".
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said Kejriwal's silence on corruption charges proves that he is "hardcore dishonest". Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Bhatia said whoever the Delhi CM declared as "kattar imandar" goes to jail
Sisodia deserves Bharat Ratna: Kejriwal
Sisodia deserves the Bharat Ratna for improving education standard in schools, but instead he is being hounded by the Centre due to political motives, CM Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday.

"The New York Times has lauded our education model," said Kejriwal, who is on his fifth visit in a month to poll-bound Gujarat. "Instead of appreciating Sisodia, he is being targeted... Don't you [BJP] feel ashamed to make the CBI conduct raids on a man who did wonders in five years, did what existing political parties could not do in 70 years and made government schools the best. Such a man should get the Bharat Ratna," the CM said.
'Sisodia may be arrested soon'
Kejriwal, who is the AAP national convener, expressed apprehension that Sisodia may be arrested soon.
"Manish Sisodia may be arrested; who knows I may also be arrested. All this is being done in view of the Gujarat Assembly elections," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)