With the Delhi election results approaching, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has devised a strategy to counter the BJP’s notorious ‘Operation Lotus’. On Thursday, BJP representatives contacted a dozen AAP candidates, offering them ₹15 crore each and ministerial positions to switch sides. In response, AAP’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a crucial meeting on Friday with all 70 party candidates to prepare them for the challenge.
During the meeting, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal reassured the candidates that AAP is on track to form the government in Delhi. He urged them to maintain the same determination they showed during the election and to be fully prepared for the vote counting process. Arvind Kejriwal’s message was clear, “AAP will stand firm against any attempts to undermine the mandate given by the people of Delhi.”
Following a crucial party meeting, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia addressed the media, calling out the BJP for attempting to contest the elections through money power and intimidation. He stated that the BJP’s actions, including its latest maneuvers, are evident to everyone. “This abusive party (gali-galauj party) has resorted to disgraceful tactics even now, but after Saturday, their entire game will be over,” Manish Sisodia asserted.
Meanwhile, AAP’s Delhi State Convenor Gopal Rai reiterated the party’s confidence in securing a decisive victory. He informed that all AAP candidates had submitted their reports during the meeting held under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. “The feedback from candidates clearly indicates that AAP is set to win more than 50 seats in Delhi, with around 7-8 seats witnessing tough competition,” he said.
He further said the people of Delhi have given AAP a clear mandate to form the government, and the party is poised to establish its rule in the capital.
Gopal Rai called out the BJP for attempting to manipulate public perception through exit polls, stating that the “Gaali-Galoch”(abusive) party is trying to create a false narrative that it is forming the government in Delhi. However, he asserted that the BJP’s internal desperation over its impending defeat is evident from its attempts to lure AAP candidates and MLAs with money and ministerial positions to switch sides.
The AAP Delhi Convenor stated that these developments indicate that the BJP is running ‘Operation Lotus’ by using exit polls as a psychological tool to exert pressure. He added, “During the meeting, Arvind Kejriwal instructed all candidates to prepare for the vote counting process with the same determination they showed during the elections.”
Gopal Rai emphasized that AAP is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent counting process, and all candidates have now shifted their focus to the final stage of the election. He reiterated, “AAP is on track to form the next government in Delhi.”
Responding to questions about offers made to AAP legislators, Gopal Rai disclosed that multiple MLAs shared similar accounts in today’s meeting. He further revealed that the party’s MLA and minister from Sultanpuri has even made public the phone number of an individual who attempted to bribe him.
Gopal Rai stated, “The BJP, under pressure from exit poll results, is resorting to such tactics.” However, he asserted that neither their intimidation nor their abusive rhetoric worked during the elections, and their reality will be fully exposed once the votes are counted.
AAP candidate from Sultanpur Majra and Delhi government minister Mukesh Ahlawat has said that he received a WhatsApp call around 11 AM from an unidentified individual who claimed to be contacting him on behalf of BJP leader Parvesh Verma.
Detailing the conversation, Mukesh Ahlawat said, “The caller told me that Parvesh Verma wanted to meet me. When I asked why, he said it would be beneficial for me. I responded that I am with the AAP, so what kind of benefit are they talking about? The caller vaguely replied that ‘some other benefits’ could be arranged. When I pressed further, he explicitly stated that if AAP fails to form the government, the BJP would offer me a ministerial position.”
