Delhi govt formation: BJP trying to split AAP?

Zee Media Bureau/Deepak Nagpal

New Delhi: Amid reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party was considering the option of forming government in Delhi with the help of turncoat Congress and AAP MLAs, several legislators of the Aam Aadmi Party have claimed that the BJP has offered them money to shift allegiance. A total of five AAP MLAs told an English daily that they have been offered financial incentives by the BJP to quit the Aam Aadmi Party and join them in order to help them form the government. The AAP MLAs were reportedly approached over the phone or through intermediaries. Among the AAP MLAs who have made the claims of being approached by the BJP include Rajesh Garg (Rohini), Raju Dhingan (Trilokpuri) and Manoj Kumar. Later in the evening, AAP MLAs are due to hold a meeting and are likely to discuss the issue of government formation. A report on Tuesday had claimed that several MLAs from the Congress and the AAP have been sent feelers by the BJP, which recently formed the government at the Centre. At present, the Delhi Legislative Assembly is in suspended animation and President’s rule had been imposed in the national capital owing to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal`s resignation as CM on February 14. The report yesterday had said that the view within the BJP was to form government in Delhi without going for fresh elections. The report had further claimed that if the BJP takes a call on forming the government in the capital, then the CM`s post could be given to either Badarpur MLA Rambir Singh Bidhuri or Janakpuri MLA Professor Jagadish Mukhi. Meanwhile, Independent MLA Rambir Shaukeen said that he was ready to support the BJP. He also vouched for support from rebel AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny. “I think even Binny bhai will also offer unconditional support if BJP forms government in Delhi,” Shaukeen said. Also, JD(U) MLA Shoaib Iqbal said that the Congress and the AAP should again form government in Delhi. “If BJP comes to power, then they (Congress and AAP) can forget power for 10 years,” Iqbal said.