New Delhi
AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed on Thursday that the BJP had lured their party’s MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural to join their ranks. He alleged that many MLAs in Punjab were offered financial incentives to switch sides and join the BJP, with promises of enhanced security and prestigious positions.
During a press briefing, Minister Bharadwaj questioned why the BJP recruited their MP and MLA if they were facing difficulties in Punjab. He stated that AAP MLAs from Punjab informed them about several MLAs being tempted with monetary offers to defect and join the BJP. These offers allegedly included enhanced security, positions, and even opportunities to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Minister Bharadwaj emphasized that while party switching was not uncommon, the situation in Punjab was perplexing. He noted that Rinku’s tenure as MP had ended, and with the Model Code of Conduct in place, his options were limited. Additionally, Bharadwaj claimed that the BJP would rank fourth in Jalandhar, Punjab, based on their evaluation.
Furthermore, Bharadwaj mentioned that during a press briefing, three Punjab MLAs disclosed receiving enticing phone calls urging them to switch to the BJP. He suggested that the alleged Operation Lotus aimed to destabilize AAP and undermine their governments in Delhi and Punjab.
