BJP still trying to poach our MLAs: AAP

BJP said a decision on forming the government in Delhi will be taken after meetings this week.

A day after Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung said efforts were being made to cobble together a majority in the Delhi Assembly, leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party alleged BJP representatives were still contacting their MLAs despite the AAP reporting such advances to President Pranab Mukherjee on July 2.

While the BJP said a decision on forming the government in Delhi will be taken after meetings this week, the Congress said it would not support either the AAP or the BJP.

Delhi has been without an elected government since February, after the 49-day-old AAP-led government resigned over lack of support in the Assembly for the Lokpal Bill. Senior AAP leader Ashutosh told Newsline that attempts by the BJP to influence AAP MLAs continuing unabated, despite the AAP writing to both the President as well as Union Minister Rajnath Singh on the subject.

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“Even after that, we have been getting reports that our MLAs have been contacted by representatives of the BJP. Our MLAs are being asked to support them (BJP) on the floor of the House. They are also being told that once the AAP expels them, the BJP will back their candidature,” he said.

AAP leaders reiterated that they wanted Delhi to go through fresh elections as soon as possible. “It is very clear that as long as the Assembly is not dissolved, horsetrading will continue. Fresh elections must be called by the Lieutenant-Governor as soon as possible,” Ashutosh said.

A voice recording of Kejriwal attacking the BJP on attempting to buy its MLAs is also being circulated. “The BJP is resorting to dishonest and highly unethical means to form the government by offering Rs 20 crore each to many MLAs. Is this democracy? It is completely wrong. If the BJP forms the government using such illegitimate methods and by spending hundreds of crores, then such a dishonest government will only increase your electricity bills, indulge in corruption and price rise. Why is Narendra Modi silent?” Kejriwal says in the recording.

The BJP, one again, rubbished the allegations and asked the AAP for proof. “The allegations are baseless. If they have proof they must come forward with it. Meetings are on to decide our future course of action,” a senior BJP leader said.

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Congress MLA Haroon Yusuf said, “Our stand is very clear. We will not support either party and we are ready for elections. We have not had any meetings with the L-G recently.”

Both the BJP and the AAP will require support from the Congress to form government, as neither won a clear majority in Assembly elections held in December 2013.

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