Operation Lotus Returns? Punjab AAP MLA Alleges Outreach, BJP Trashes Claim

In a recent development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj has alleged that the office of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attempted to entice her with an offer to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2027 elections. Bharaj claimed that she was approached for a private meeting where the proposal was made, suggesting an alleged effort by the BJP to bolster its ranks in Punjab through 'Operation Lotus', a term commonly used to describe the BJP's strategy of poaching opposition leaders. The BJP, however, has strongly dismissed these allegations, branding them as politically motivated and a strategy by the AAP to divert attention from its own governance issues. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the AAP and BJP, particularly in Punjab, where the AAP currently holds power. As the political landscape in India continues to evolve, such claims and counterclaims are likely to play a significant role in shaping the discourse leading up to the next elections.