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New Delhi: The political fallout from the defection of three AAP Rajya Sabha MPs intensified on Friday, with senior leader Sanjay Singh launching a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of attempting to destabilise Punjab through what he termed “Operation Lotus.”
Backing the party line, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal took to social media, stating, “The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove,” signalling that the party views the development as a direct political intrusion into the state’s mandate.
‘Backstabbed Punjab’: AAP’s Strong Reaction
Addressing a press conference, Sanjay Singh did not mince words, accusing the defecting MPs—Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal—of betraying both the party and the people of Punjab.
“These people have backstabbed the people of Punjab by joining a party that barely has any electoral space in the state,” Singh said, framing the move as a political betrayal rather than an ideological shift.
He further described the episode as a “failed attempt” to weaken the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, asserting that AAP’s governance model continues to enjoy public support.
Allegations of Agency Misuse
Singh also linked the defections to recent actions by central investigative agencies, alleging a pattern of pressure tactics. Referring specifically to Ashok Mittal, he said, “There was a raid by central agencies at Mittal, and now he has joined the BJP. This clearly reflects misuse of power.”
The AAP leader accused the BJP of deploying agencies such as the CBI and ED to intimidate opposition leaders and engineer political realignments. According to him, the Mann government’s “people-centric reforms” had unsettled the BJP, prompting efforts to destabilise the administration.
Broader Political Attack on the BJP
Expanding his criticism, Singh attacked the BJP on policy and governance issues, citing the now-repealed farm laws and raising questions over electoral bonds. “By going to that party, do you think you will bring about a revolution?” he asked, taking a direct swipe at the defectors.
The sharp exchange underscores a deepening political confrontation between AAP and BJP, particularly in Punjab, where the latest defections have not only altered parliamentary equations but also triggered a wider narrative battle over governance, legitimacy and political ethics.
