'We don't break parties': BJP MP dismisses ‘Operation Lotus’ claims after AAP split

New Delhi/Gandhinagar, April 24 (IANS) BJP Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin on Friday said the party does not break other parties and that leaders join it of their own accord, rejecting allegations of an “Operation Lotus” following recent developments involving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

Speaking to IANS, Amin said the decisions taken by Raghav Chadha and others were independent, adding that the BJP maintains an open approach towards individuals who wish to join.

“We do not break parties. They are joining and aligning with us willingly and voluntarily, and we have an open-minded approach,” he said.

His remarks came after Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs resigned from the AAP and announced they would merge with the BJP, in a significant political development.

The move follows a prolonged internal rift within the AAP leadership, with tensions building over the past few months.

Chadha was removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month amid reported disagreements over his role and position within the party.

Amin said there had been infighting within the AAP for the past couple of years and described Chadha as a politician who raised issues concerning ordinary citizens during Zero Hour.

“Raghav Chadha used to raise ordinary citizens’ issues during Zero Hour, and he is an intelligent politician,” he told IANS.

He, however, suggested that this approach did not go down well with sections of the party leadership, including its national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal and MP Sanjay Singh.

According to Amin, the leadership wanted Chadha to focus more on party matters, such as targeting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Following his resignation, Chadha told reporters that he had been “the right man in the wrong party”, indicating differences over priorities and functioning within the AAP.

In a separate press conference, Sanjay Singh alleged that the BJP was attempting to weaken the party through an “Operation Lotus”, a charge denied by the BJP.

Amin reiterated that the BJP follows a process before inducting individuals, stating that "the party deliberates on profiles and consults local leaders as well as the public".

Recalling his own experience, he said, “When I left Congress in 2012, I was accepted by the BJP and even received a call from Narendra Modi.”

He maintained that the current political developments reflect voluntary decisions by individuals rather than any attempt by the BJP to engineer defections.

--IANS

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