AAP Accuses BJP of 'Operation Lotus' Amid Mass Defection of MPs
AAP In Arms Against BJP: Kejriwal Calls Raghav Chadha’s Exit ‘Operation Lotus’? What Is It?
News 18
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of executing 'Operation Lotus' after seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, defected to the BJP. This move is seen as an attempt to destabilize the AAP government in Punjab and has historical precedents in Indian politics.
- 01Seven out of ten AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have defected to the BJP.
- 02Raghav Chadha and six others announced their resignation, claiming constitutional provisions allow such a merger.
- 03AAP has labeled this defection as 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe BJP's strategy to weaken opposition parties.
- 04The AAP claims this move is a conspiracy to destabilize the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann.
- 05Operation Lotus has historical instances in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
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In a significant political shift, seven out of ten Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including prominent leader Raghav Chadha, have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During a press conference, Chadha stated that they have submitted the necessary documentation to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, C P Radhakrishnan, to formalize the merger. The AAP has accused the BJP of orchestrating 'Operation Lotus', a term that refers to the BJP's strategy of inducing defections among opposition members to weaken their strength. AAP MP Sanjay Singh condemned the move as 'petty politics' aimed at destabilizing the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab. Historically, 'Operation Lotus' has been invoked during similar political maneuvers in Karnataka (2008), Madhya Pradesh (2020), and Maharashtra (2022), where defections led to significant shifts in power. Critics argue that this tactic undermines the Anti-Defection Law by facilitating mass resignations rather than individual floor-crossing, raising concerns about the integrity of political processes in India.
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The defection of AAP MPs could weaken the party's influence in Punjab and affect governance, as the BJP seeks to increase its foothold in the state.
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