Chandigarh: AAP leader and Punjab's finance minister Harpal Cheema alleged an attempt being made by the BJP to topple AAP's government in Punjab by launching 'Operation Lotus'. In a press conference, Harpal Cheema said, "Ten MLAs of his party were approached by offering a total of Rs 1,375 crore to topple the government. Every MLA was offered Rs 25 crore", he claimed.
Earlier, BJP, he said, had tried similar tricks in the states like Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh and now they are attempting the same in Punjab. "Seven to 10 MLAs are being approached directly or by a third party and Central Intelligence is also exerting pressure on MLAs. They approached our MLAs and told them that their meeting will be arranged with 'vadde baau ji' and with big leaders in Delhi, and also offered them Rs 25 crore each," he said.
Cheema alleged that the AAP MLAs were offered ministerial positions if the BJP forms the government. The state finance minister further alleged, "They were told if you bring three-four MLAs, then you will be offered Rs 50-70 crore. Cheema said when one of the party MLAs asked how it would topple the government of AAP which has 92 MLAs, they were told that they just needed 35 MLAs to topple the government as they were in touch with legislators from other parties.
He alleged that the Congress MLAs were "bought" in Madhya Pradesh and other states. "Maybe here also they are in touch with them (Congress MLAs)," he alleged. He alleged that the BJP kept Rs 1,375 crore for breaking 55 MLAs away in Punjab. "The BJP wants to spend Rs 1,375 crore in Punjab to topple the AAP government," he alleged, adding that the BJP had earlier tried to topple the AAP government in Delhi with Rs 800 crore.]
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AAP leader Cheema alleged the BJP earlier tried to "murder" democracy in Delhi and the same attempt was being made in Punjab but it cannot be successful in its attempt. The AAP MLAs, leaders, and workers stand with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann like a rock. Cheema alleged that the BJP was trying to "buy" AAP MLAs in Punjab while claiming that such attempts had earlier failed in Delhi.
Seven to 10 MLAs were approached directly or indirectly by the BJP through its people, he said while refusing to name the MLAs who were allegedly approached. When asked about the names of MLAs who were approached, Cheema said, "Many MLAs have got calls. It is a matter of investigation." The CBI and the ED were already after the AAP leaders in Punjab, he alleged.
"Our legal team will see at which forum legal action will be taken (in the matter). At this stage, we cannot disclose the names of MLAs. In the coming time, our MLAs will come forward and we will present proof and electronic records before the public," said Cheema. When pointed out that the AAP government has police and intelligence under it and why it was waiting for action in the matter, Cheema said, "Very soon, legal action will be taken as our legal experts are working on it."
Among those people from the BJP who approached the MLAs included some from Punjab and some from Delhi, said, Cheema. Punjab BJP general secretary Jeevan Gupta, while slamming AAP for its allegations, said, "The AAP government has failed in fulfilling its guarantees and when people ask questions about them, they try to divert attention by making such false accusations."
BJP leader Anil Sareen asked Cheema to immediately make public from where their MLAs received calls and who tried to lure them. He demanded that either Cheema should publicly declare phone numbers from where the calls were received or quit his post.
