Punjab Police registers FIR after AAP alleges BJP tried to bribe its MLAs

Chandigarh, Sep 14: The Punjab Police on Wednesday registered a First Information Report (FIR) after the ruling AAP complained to the state DGP, accusing the BJP of an attempt to poach its MLAs.

State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had on Wednesday met the state DGP along party MLAs over the issue and demanded a thorough probe. An official spokesperson of the state police said, "Following a complaint filed by some MLAs of the state, the Punjab Police registered a first information report under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 171-B and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)."

The ruling party had earlier said at least its 10 MLAs were approached by BJP people with a offer of Rs 25 crore each in a bid to topple the state government.

In Delhi, AAP national convenor and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that BJP was planning "Operation Lotus" to poach MLAs from other parties in every state, either with the help of money or the fear of agencies such as the CBI and ED.

"We came to know that they (BJP) tried to buy MLAs in Punjab by offering them Rs 25 crore each. Ten of our MLAs were approached," PTI quoted Kejriwal as saying.

"They are buying MLAs and making governments fall, which is dangerous for democracy," the Delhi CM further said.