A political dispute has emerged in Haryana and Punjab following a statement by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj alleging that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini contacted her with an offer to contest elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket.
Narinder Kaur Bharaj told media that she received an offer from the Bharatiya Janata Party and claimed that the contact was made directly by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. According to Bharaj, she was asked to contest on a BJP ticket and was told that all her demands would be fulfilled in return.
Bharaj further alleged that the development was part of what she described as an ‘Operation Lotus.’ She claimed that she was also proposed a closed-door meeting. Following her statement, political reactions intensified across Punjab and Haryana.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini rejected the claims in clear terms, describing them as fabricated. He stated that he does not personally know Narinder Kaur Bharaj and has never made such an offer.
Saini said all allegations against him are baseless. He described the claims as a deliberate political strategy by the Aam Aadmi Party aimed at diverting attention from its failures. He stated that there is no evidence behind the allegations and termed them an attempt to create a political narrative.
Addressing the allegations related to ‘Operation Lotus,’ Saini said the claim that he held a closed-door discussion and offered a ticket is completely false. He stated that similar allegations had earlier been made in Delhi and are now being repeated in Punjab.
Saini said that instead of fulfilling promises made during its tenure, the Aam Aadmi Party is attempting to mislead the public by making what he described as baseless allegations.
The Chief Minister also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party and its top leadership. He referred to developments in Delhi under Arvind Kejriwal and said a similar model is being repeated in Punjab. He stated that large claims were made but no promises were fulfilled in reality.
Saini said that when the time has come to answer questions, such allegations are being raised to divert attention. He also questioned the law and order situation in Punjab, stating that the condition is not hidden from anyone. He said the Aam Aadmi Party government should respond on these issues instead of making allegations.
He stated that the government must answer to the people of Punjab on issues such as employment, security and development, and that allegations and counter-allegations do not change facts.
Narinder Kaur Bharaj had also stated that the BJP requires candidates in all constituencies and that she was contacted in this context. She said she was told she would be given a BJP ticket from the Sangrur seat. Bharaj further alleged that she was informed any conditions she set would be accepted and reiterated that the matter was part of ‘Operation Lotus.’ Following her statement, the Aam Aadmi Party described the issue as a serious political matter.
