In a sensational disclosure, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has earmarked more than Rs 1,300 crore as a part of its ‘Operation Lotus’ to “buy” party legislators in Punjab for “toppling” the AAP Government in the State.
Senior AAP leader and the state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema claimed that the saffron party offered Rs 25 crore to at least 10 of its MLAs.
The disclosures were made at a time when the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is on tour to Germany.
Mincing no words, Cheema alleged that the BJP was using central agencies as well as money power to woo AAP MLAs as part of its ‘Operation Lotus’, which in the past, it has tried in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
Refusing to name any of the MLA, Cheema claimed that at least seven to 10 legislators of AAP had received calls from the BJP leaders and their “agents” over the period of past week, offering them Rs 20-25 crore each to join the saffron brigade. “That is not all! They have also offered to give Rs 75 crore if any legislator can also bring along other MLAs to join the BJP,” said Cheema adding that BJP has earmarked Rs 1,375 crore to buy out MLAs.
In the 117-member Punjab Vidhan Sabha, AAP has 92 MLAs — much above the 59 required to form the government by any political party or alliance.
“BJP leaders, who are mainly from Punjab, are contacting the AAP MLAs and telling them that they need only 35 MLAs to topple the government as they are already in touch with Congress MLAs,” said Cheema, who was addressing the media along with party MLAs — Sheetal Angural, Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Raman Arora, Labh Singh Ugoke, and Rupinder Singh Happy.
“The BJP leaders or their agents, who are calling AAP MLAs, are making sure that they don’t say anything directly. They are using words like “babu ji” or “bade log” while referring to the senior leadership saying they will make them talk to them,” said Cheema, maintaining that he had heard the “recorded calls”.
Also claiming that the central agencies are after AAP leaders, Cheema maintained that the party and MLAs would substantiate these claims with “electronic evidence”. Cheema said that the party’s legal cell is looking into the matter, and at this stage, he would not like to disclose the names.
Cheema also added that other than money or muscle power by issuing ED and CBI threats, the MLAs are also being offered cabinet ministerial ranks.
“BJP has now launched its tried and tested ‘Operation Lotus’ in Punjab after failing in its attempt to break the party in Delhi...Their model would have worked in Karnataka, but it would not work in Punjab...just the way the AAP MLAs in Delhi blocked their attempts,” said Cheema.
Cheema claimed that the BJP, in its attempt to topple AAP Government in Punjab, is using coercive methods and issuing threats to AAP MLAs that they “will face probe by the Enforcement Directorate of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in case they do not join BJP”.
Stating that the matter needs to be investigated, Cheema said: “Our leaders have been getting such calls. CBI and ED are two big central agencies, and both are after our leaders. But we have proofs, and we will make it public in the coming days. Our MLAs will themselves give electronic evidence of all our claims.”
Lashing out at the BJP-led Central Government, Cheema said that BJP is working as a ‘serial killer’ in Punjab and anti-national powers have joined forces to overthrow AAP Government in Punjab as they are unable to digest the dynamic functioning of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government in the state.
“BJP is a serial killer who is bringing down the governments in every state one by one by coercing opposition party leaders with agencies and money. The next target in this murder of democracy under ‘Operation Lotus’ is Punjab...Wherever BJP loses, these people form their government by breaking MLAs with help of CBI, ED, and money. They did it in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh. Now, they are doing it in Punjab,” he added.
Referring to similar attempts made by BJP in Delhi, Cheema said that the BJP is only afraid of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and that’s why they aim to stop him by any means. “BJP is unnerved by Kejriwal’s growing popularity across the country. This is why they raided Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s residence in Delhi and also raided the AAP office in Gujarat to intimidate AAP leaders,” he added.
Lambasting the BJP led Central Government for denying financial aid to Punjab, Cheema said that the Modi Government doesn't even give a single rupee to assist Punjab financially but they have Rs 1375 crores ‘black money to buy the MLAs of Punjab’.
“From where this Rs 1375 crore came and where is the money hidden? Will CBI and ED show courage to investigate this big scam? BJP has kept over Rs 2200 crore, including 1375 crores, to buy Punjab MLAs and Rs 800 crores for Delhi MLAs,” he added.