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CHANDIGARH: Former Indian cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP on Friday triggered a fresh political controversy in after accusing the of “selling” Rajya Sabha seats and taking bribes in exchange for political positions.
Harbhajan, popularly known as “Bhajji”, made the explosive allegations while responding to sustained criticism and trolling by AAP supporters following his recent switch to the.
‘Ask how much the Rajya Sabha seat was sold for’
Reacting sharply to protests outside his residence in and repeated accusations of betrayal by AAP leaders and supporters, Harbhajan posted a strongly worded message on social media.
“To those calling me a traitor, first ask your own people how much the Punjab Rajya Sabha seat was sold for. If they don’t tell you, I’ll tell you who took how much in bribes and from whom,” Harbhajan said.
The remarks have intensified political tensions in Punjab and are likely to trigger a major political confrontation between the BJP and AAP in the coming days.
Bhajji among seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs who joined BJP
Harbhajan Singh is among seven Rajya Sabha members elected on AAP tickets who joined the BJP last month, a development that significantly altered Punjab’s political equations and dealt a blow to the ruling party’s national ambitions.
Since defecting to the BJP, Harbhajan has faced aggressive criticism from AAP workers and supporters.
According to Harbhajan, protesters gathered outside his residence, burnt his effigy and painted the word “traitor” on the walls of his house.
Clash with AAP leader Devinder Yadav
The latest controversy erupted after AAP leader publicly questioned Harbhajan’s decision to criticise the party without resigning from the Rajya Sabha seat that AAP had given him.
In a strongly worded social media post, Yadav accused Harbhajan of betraying Punjab and aligning with the BJP despite the farmers’ agitation.
“Why didn’t you resign from the Rajya Sabha seat he gave you? Joining BJP, which is responsible for the deaths of more than 800 farmers from Punjab — what kind of compulsion was that for you? How much did you price your conscience at? I heard BJP bid Rs 25 crore each for traitors. Is that true?” Yadav wrote.
Harbhajan hints at bigger revelations
Responding to the allegations, Harbhajan suggested that he possessed information regarding alleged corruption inside the AAP and hinted at future disclosures.
“When the time comes, every word of yours will be answered. I haven’t insulted any of your leaders. Why should I dirty my tongue?” he wrote.
The former cricketer went on to allege that Rajya Sabha seats, ministerial appointments and positions inside the Punjab government were influenced by bribery and vested interests.
“I’ll tell you who took what bribe and from whom, and how someone was made a minister or a pawn to loot Punjab and deliver benefits to ‘Lala’. Punjab has been looted and devoured,” Harbhajan alleged.
However, he did not provide any documentary evidence or specify names in support of the allegations.
‘Country gave me respect, trolls won’t define me’
Harbhajan also defended himself against accusations of betrayal and said the attacks reflected the “cheap mentality” of political workers and paid social media trolls.
“It was the political party that burned my effigy outside my house and wrote ‘traitor’ on it. Common people don’t do such things. Who instructed party workers to do this?” he asked.
“This country has given me so much love. I spent 20 years raising the nation’s name in sports. Your people think that if they use a label, it will stick. It only reflects their cheap mentality,” he added.
Harbhajan further said he was unconcerned about criticism from anonymous social media accounts.
“I don’t care if paid trolls write about me. Most of them are anonymous on paid social media,” he remarked.
Social media war intensifies
Following Harbhajan’s statements, social media platforms witnessed a flood of reactions from both BJP and AAP supporters.
Several users questioned whether Harbhajan had remained silent earlier despite allegedly knowing about wrongdoing within the party.
Others accused him of opportunism and asked why he did not expose the alleged corruption before switching political sides.
The controversy has added another layer to the escalating political battle between the AAP and BJP in Punjab, particularly after the recent defection of several AAP leaders and Rajya Sabha MPs to the saffron party.
Political significance in Punjab
Harbhajan Singh’s allegations are politically significant because of his celebrity status and his earlier association with the AAP leadership in Punjab.
The BJP has recently intensified efforts to strengthen its political base in Punjab, while the ruling AAP has accused the Centre and BJP of engineering defections and using pressure tactics against Opposition leaders. The latest exchange is expected to further sharpen political polarisation in the state ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
