• BJP tried to buy 10 AAP MLAs in Punjab for Rs 25 cr each, says Arvind Kejriwal

    Politics
    BJP tried to buy 10 AAP MLAs in Punjab for Rs 25 cr each, says Arvind Kejriwal

    Kejriwal also criticised the Congress, claiming that the grand old party had failed to stop its legislators from being poached when eight of its MLAs in Goa went to the saffron side.


    Digital Desk: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, charged the BJP on Wednesday for trying to "buy" 10 of his party's MLAs in Punjab by making them offers of Rs 25 crore each.

    Additionally, he claimed that the saffron party is preparing "Operation Lotus" to swoop in MLAs from opposing parties in every state, either with the aid of money or out of apprehension of organisations like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    "On Tuesday, we learned that the BJP attempted to purchase MLAs in Punjab by making them offers of Rs 25 crore each. Ten of our legislators were contacted. On Wednesday, they will convene a press conference and criticise the BJP "said Kejriwal.

    The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated at a press conference that "they are purchasing MLAs and forcing governments to fall, which is harmful for democracy."

    He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was increasing inflation by "buying" lawmakers with tax dollars.

    Kejriwal also criticised the Congress, claiming that the grand old party had failed to stop its legislators from being poached when eight of its MLAs in Goa went to the saffron side.

    "Democracy is endangered by the party that is purchasing MLAs, but the Congress is equally to blame. Why do lone MLAs for Congress be taken? Why, despite their efforts, can't they purchase our MLAs? "He queried.

    He added, "We exposed them (the BJP) when they tried to purchase our MLAs in Delhi and now in Punjab.

    As a result of the joining of eight Congress members in Goa, including former chief minister Digambar Kamat, to the governing BJP on Wednesday, the opposition party now has just three MLAs remaining in the 40-member state Assembly.

    Later, Kejriwal joined the Twitter conversation and questioned the BJP's funding for "buying" MLAs.

    "These individuals (BJP) have now travelled to Punjab to purchase our MLAs after Delhi. Where do all these billions of rupees come from? They should be aware that we are not the Congress and cannot be purchased. This has turned into a very significant problem for the nation and democracy because of the manner they are forcing elected administrations to fall one by one "He stated in a Hindi tweet.

    The AAP's leadership in Punjab has stated that it will file a complaint with the director general of police and include proof to back up its claim that the BJP is paying its MLAs between Rs 20 and Rs 25 crore each in an effort to overthrow the Bhagwant Mann administration.

    In response to a question regarding a picture of him reportedly travelling in a chartered plane that has been circulating on social media, Kejriwal claimed that the saffron party was using it to distract voters from important issues in advance of the Gujarat elections.

    "In Gujarat, we are getting favourable feedback. The BJP never engages in substantive discourse. When you enquire about the state of Gujarat's schools, they pass around some images. These are methods (to divert public attention from issues). There will be many such issues before the elections, "added said.


    Kejriwal responded that the AAP will inform the delimitation panel of any irregularities in the delineation of Delhi's municipal wards.