Chandigarh, Feb 12 – Aam Aadmi Party MLA, Narinder Kaur Bharaj, claimed on Thursday that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had offered her a BJP ticket to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, along with a private meeting.
Meanwhile, Haryana CM's media secretary, Praveen Attrey, dismissed Bharaj's allegations as baseless, stating that Saini neither met nor spoke to her.
He said that the AAP often uses such tactics to divert public attention from real issues.
Addressing the media, Bharaj, the MLA from Sangrur, claimed that under the BJP's "Operation Lotus," Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini approached her a few days ago and offered her a seat in the Sangrur constituency.
She further stated that he offered her a private meeting.
"The BJP needs candidates from all constituencies," she said.
She claimed that he offered her a BJP ticket for the Sangrur constituency.
"He also offered me that whatever demands I make will be fulfilled," she added.
"I want to tell the Haryana CM that she is where she is today because of the AAP and the people of Punjab," the first-time MLA said.
This is not the first time that the AAP has made such allegations while referring to "Operation Lotus."
In 2022, the AAP had claimed that at least 10 of its MLAs were approached by the BJP with offers of Rs 25 crore each, in an attempt to topple the six-month-old government under its "Operation Lotus."
Haryana CM's media secretary, Attrey, called the AAP's accusations "diversionary tactics" and stated that the people of Punjab are now questioning the Bhagwant Mann government over its unfulfilled promises.
Attrey stated that the people of Punjab want the schemes that are operational in BJP-ruled Haryana, such as the minimum support price on 24 crops and Rs 2,100 per month for women, to be implemented in their state as well.
"That's why the people of Punjab invite Haryana CM Saini to events," Attrey said.
He further stated, "That's why the AAP is making these claims."
Bharaj, who is associated with the AAP, said she was the first woman polling agent in Bharaj village in 2014.
She said that she was impressed by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann for their youth-oriented policies at that time.
"After that, I joined the party. I have been working as a dedicated worker since 2014," she said.
A daughter of a small farmer was given the ticket by the AAP when she was 27, she added, and further stated that people made her the Sangrur MLA in 2022.
"I want to tell Saini saab that he should not have any misconceptions that we will fall prey to this kind of politics. We came into politics to change the system and committed ourselves to ensuring better healthcare and education for the people of Punjab," she noted.
"I want to tell Saini that he should not worry whether I will contest the 2027 assembly elections or not, and from where and how I will contest. He should worry about Haryana," she said.
Referring to Saini's frequent visits to poll-bound Punjab, she said the way Saini is roaming in the state these days, it appears that the BJP has sent him on a deputation to Punjab.
"We are dedicated workers of the AAP," she said.
AAP general secretary and media in-charge, Baltej Pannu, alleged that the BJP is once again unsuccessfully trying to "crush" democracy in Punjab through 'Operation Lotus'.
"This is not the first time the BJP has tried to buy AAP MLAs, but they forget that Punjabis are known for their honour," he alleged.
He further said, "Saini Sahib should keep his 'Haryana Model,' where people are suffering under expensive electricity. Punjab follows the model of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, where facilities like free electricity exist, which are nowhere to be seen in your failed Haryana model."
Pannu further said, "Four years of the Punjab government are about to complete, yet the BJP's offers worth crores of rupees could not sway even a single MLA. AAP MLAs are sons and daughters of ordinary households, whom traditional parties used to mock by calling them 'material' or 'band-baaja walas'."
"We warn the BJP to put this 'for sale' sign in some other state, because neither any of our MLAs nor any workers in Punjab is for sale," said Pannu.
"The post of chief minister carries a certain dignity, which must be understood and upheld. Instead of hatching conspiracies to break other parties, Saini Sahib should learn from the AAP model how to serve people honestly," he said.
"Let it be clear that no matter how much the BJP increases its activities in Punjab, it should end this illusion that any MLA will be intimidated or broken. What could not happen in Delhi will never happen on the soil of Punjab," he added.
