Is BJP really trying to buy out AAP MLAs in Punjab?

Three major opposition parties have denied the existence of Operation Lotus in Punjab.

Operation Lotus Punjab, Operation Lotus, Reality of Operation Lotus, Aam Aadmi Party, Bhartiya Janata Party, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Harpal Singh Cheema, AAP on operation lotus, All about operation lotus, AAP allegations on BJP, Punjab News, Punjab News Today, Latest Punjab News, Top Punjab News, Punjab News Live, Punjab News Update- True Scoop

On 13th September 2022, Aam Aadmi Party raised severe allegations against the Bhartiya Janta Party in Punjab. Harpal Cheema, Punjab’s Finance Minister, disclosed that BJP has started ‘Operation Lotus’ in Punjab as well. The allegations were raised as Operation Lotus was conducted by BJP in other states like Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.

This issue came to light when Bhagwant Mann, Punjab’s CM, was on a visit to Germany to push Punjab’s industrial growth. On 14th September, Harpal Cheema called a press conference where he accused BJP of offering Rs. 25-100 crores to AAP MLAs. Even so, many incidents that followed suggest otherwise. Here are few instances that question the existence of Operation Lotus in Punjab:

1. CONTRADICTING STATEMENTS OF AAM AADMI PARTY MEMBERS

During his press conference, Harpal Cheema stated that 35 MLAs have received an offer from BJP till now. Whereas, Arvind Kejriwal talked about only 10 MLAs receiving offers from unknown numbers. On contrary, CM Mann through his Twitter handle talked about conducting a meeting with 6-7 MLAs who had received such an offer.

Noticeably, three key members of Aam Aadmi Party shared different numbers of MLAs who had been approached by BJP. In 15 days, only three MLAs have come forward and publicly admitted of receiving such offers. Sheetal Angural and Raman Arora claimed to have received offers of Rs. 25 crores whereas Harmeet Sigh Pathanmanjra on Tuesday stated that he has been offered Rs. 100 crores to join BJP.

2. NO NOTEWORTHY ACTION IN 15 DAYS

During his Press Conference, Cheema stated that the party will lodge an FIR and submit electronic evidence to DGP Gaurav Yadav.

Reportedly, Police have stepped back and transferred the case to Vigilance Bureau.

Vigilance Bureau sought help from Intelligence Wing, Punjab Police as the calls received were from International numbers.

In 15 days, the case only has seen a lodged FIR. No noteworthy action has been taken by the Agencies.

3. SEVEN QUIET MLAs

The FIR submitted reveals that the AAP MLAs received calls from international numbers and the caller claimed to be a member of BJP. Furthermore, the caller assured to get a meeting fixed with the party if the MLA accepts the offer. The registered FIR includes names of 9 MLAs which are MLA Jai Kishan Rodi, Rupinder Happy, Sheetal Angural, Raman Arora, Budh Ram, Kuljeet Randhawa, Manjit Singh, Nihal Singh Wala, Dinesh Chadha. However, only three have publicly admitted of getting these calls. One of them admitted after the FIR was lodged so his name has not been mentioned in the FIR. Why are the 7 AAP MLAs still quiet?

@HarpalCheemaMLA@ArvindKejriwal@BhagwantMannpic.twitter.com/w66zvrWqIfSeptember 14, 2022@AAPPunjabpic.twitter.com/xTRt964n1sSeptember 14, 2022September 14, 2022

4. NO MENTION OF AUDIO RECORDINGS IN FIR

Another question that arises is about the audio recordings not being mentioned in the FIR when Harpal Cheema himself talked about submitting the electronic evidence to DGP Gaurav Yadav.

Major opposition parties have denied the existence of Operation Lotus in unison.

Ramneek Singh Mann, a political analyst stated, “AAP is creating the hype of Operation Lotus and using it as cover to hide their failures and cases of insensitivity.”

The contradicting numbers, no noteworthy action in case and zero mention of call recording in FIR raise the question of ‘Operation Lotus being a fact or fiction.’

Watch Video

Attachments

Trending