‘Fabricated under Operation Lotus’: Saini denies AAP MLA Bharaj’s claim of BJP ticket offer

New Delhi/Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has firmly rejected allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj, who claimed she was approached with an offer of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket and invited to a “closed-door meeting.”

Calling the accusation “fabricated,” Saini accused the AAP of attempting to build false narratives to deflect attention from its governance record.

Addressing reporters in the national capital, Saini said he neither contacted nor met Bharaj, and rubbished the claims as politically motivated. “This was a fabricated allegation,” the chief minister said, adding that the AAP had a history of making similar accusations without proof.

Saini alleged that the AAP was resorting to diversionary tactics to cover up its “misdeeds” and unfulfilled promises, particularly in Punjab.

He argued that instead of levelling baseless charges, the party should focus on delivering on assurances made by its leadership, including Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

“These fabricated stories are being made up by their MLAs to hide their shortcomings,” Saini said. He further claimed that the AAP had earlier created “misleading narratives” about governance in Delhi, and was now employing the same strategy in other states.

The controversy erupted earlier this week when Bharaj, the first-time MLA from Sangrur, alleged that Saini had sent an intermediary from Sangrur with an offer for a “closed-door meeting,” discussions regarding BJP politics in Sangrur, and assurances related to future elections.

Bharaj maintained that she could not be influenced and said she had shared “evidence” with her party and the media.

“Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini sent an individual from Sangrur to approach me,” Bharaj told ANI. “Narinder Bharaj cannot be bought. I am a true soldier of the party.”

Reacting sharply, Saini questioned the credibility of the allegations and reiterated that no evidence had been presented publicly.

He also renewed his attack on the AAP government in Punjab, claiming the party had “not fulfilled a single promise” and pointing to what he described as deteriorating law and order in the state.

The BJP, too, dismissed the MLA’s claims, with Saini’s media secretary Praveen Attrey earlier describing the charges as baseless and accusing the AAP of spreading misinformation to divert public attention.

AAP leaders, however, stood by Bharaj. Party general secretary and media in-charge Baltej Pannu accused the BJP of attempting to “buy MLAs,” saying Punjabis were known for their honour and integrity.

The exchange marks yet another chapter in the ongoing political sparring between the BJP and AAP, with both sides accusing each other of misinformation and political theatrics ahead of future electoral battles.