AAP accuses BJP of trying to buy Delhi councillors offering Rs 100 cr
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New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of trying to buy its councillors elected in the recent civic poll. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was won by AAP with a majority after a long rule of the BJP.
He claimed that the BJP is working on a budget of Rs 100 cr for buying MCD councillors. "BJP has a budget of Rs 10 crore for each councillor."
The party alleged that the BJP is down to "dirty games" despite getting 30 fewer seats and losing 80 seats compared to the last elections. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh compared BJP's actions to its horse trading-like actions seen in Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, and Gujarat.
Accompanied by three AAP councillors - Dr Ronakshi Sharma, Arun Nawariya, and Jyoti Rani - he said the BJP is applying the same formula of buying elected representatives in Delhi, reported NDTV. He also urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to arrest and jail those who are "trying to murder democracy and insult the people's mandate" through threats and money.
Nawariya said those who were seen with him and supported him were targeted and abused. He alleged that BJP workers went to the homes of his supporters and "hurled filthy abuses." He added that his supporters are also threatened with "dire consequences." Jyoti Rani's husband claimed that a man approached him on the road and offered Rs 50 lakh to cross-vote. When rejected, the man said he can cross-vote without anyone knowing. The BJP has been claiming that they can still win the Mayoral election.
The BJP has been in power in Delhi's Municipal Corporation for 15 years. On Wednesday, the AAP ended the reign by winning 134 wards out of 250. As exit polls predicted, BJP lost by landing only 104 wards.
The BJP had accused the AAP of trying to lure its councillors. "Kejriwal's agents are roaming the streets of Delhi to lure councillors." Similarly, AAP had earlier accused BJP of running "Operation Lotus". The BJP has termed AAP's alleged attempt "Operation Jhaadu."