Political storm in Punjab: AAP MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj claims Haryana CM asked her to join BJP
PTC Web Desk: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has levelled serious allegations against Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, claiming he attempted to persuade one of its Punjab MLAs to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing the media, AAP’s media in-charge Baltej Pannu and Sangrur MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj alleged that the BJP was once again trying to destabilise opposition parties under what is popularly referred to as “Operation Lotus.”
Narinder Bharaj claimed she was personally approached with an offer. “I was invited for a meeting where Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini proposed that I join the BJP. He assured me that I would be fielded as the BJP candidate from Sangrur and even asked if I had any additional demands,” she said.
The 27-year-old legislator said she sought time before leaving the meeting, asserting that she had no intention of betraying her party. “I started my political journey with AAP as a polling agent in 2014 when I was just 19. I have grown politically with the party and remain committed to it,” she added.
She made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest MLA elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
Reacting to the allegations, Parveen Attrey, media secretary to the Haryana Chief Minister, dismissed the claims as “completely baseless.” He said no such meeting had taken place between the Chief Minister and the AAP MLA.
Attrey further accused AAP of attempting to divert attention from unfulfilled promises.
Meanwhile, Baltej Pannu alleged that this was not an isolated attempt. He claimed the BJP had earlier tried to lure AAP MLAs with offers of money and political incentives.
The exchange has triggered fresh political tensions between AAP and BJP in Punjab and Haryana, with both parties standing by their respective claims.
- PTC NEWS
