CHANDIGARH: The ruling AAP in Punjab on Tuesday accused the BJP of offering Rs 25 crore each to its 10 MLAs in an attempt to topple the Bhagwant Mann government in the state.
Speaking to media persons, Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema alleged that some “leaders and agents” of the BJP from Delhi and Punjab had approached around 10 AAP MLAs telephonically over the past seven days and offered Rs 25 crore to each to quit AAP and join the BJP.
He said that they were offering to arrange meetings of AAP MLAs with 'Babu ji' (a top BJP leader) and also promised them cabinet ministerial ranks after the BJP formed the government in the state. “They are offering to pay more than Rs 25 crore if some MLA brings some other AAP MLAs along with him and are willing to pay Rs 50-70 crore,” said Cheema.
Replying to a question, Cheema said that the Punjab government would launch an investigation and legal action will be initiated into the matter. “They wanted to break around 35 AAP MLAs and target the rest from other parties. One of our MLAs asked them how they will topple the AAP government, they said MLAs from other parties were in touch with them,” he alleged.
Slamming the Modi government, Cheema said that BJP is working as a “serial killer” in Punjab and anti-national powers have joined forces to overthrow the AAP government in Punjab as they are “unable to digest the dynamic functioning of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government in the state.”
“After using central investigation agencies against AAP leaders in Delhi and offering money to MLAs in Delhi, now, the BJP is attempting to 'buy' MLAs in Punjab," Cheema alleged.
He said that BJP was a serial killer that was bringing down the governments in every state one by one by coercing opposition party leaders with agencies and money. The next target in this murder of democracy under 'Operation Lotus' is Punjab. “But all volunteers and MLAs of AAP will stand by the party like a rock,” he said.
"Wherever BJP loses, these people form their government by breaking MLAs with help of CBI, ED and money. They did it in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. Now, they are doing it in Punjab," Cheema said.
