Delhi Assembly Commences Discussion on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Confidence Motion, Alleges BJP’s Attempted MLA Poaching
The Delhi Assembly commenced discussions on Saturday regarding the motion of confidence introduced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who accused the BJP of attempting to poach AAP MLAs to undermine his government.
Initiating the discourse, AAP’s Kasturba Nagar MLA, Madan Lal, asserted that the BJP persistently sought to undermine and obstruct the Kejriwal government, either through MLA poaching or interference in its functioning.
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, the Leader of Opposition and the sole BJP representative in the House due to the suspension of other party members for the session, was absent at the outset of the discussion but later joined.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was also present in the House and is slated to speak later in the session.
This marks the third confidence motion for the Kejriwal government in the last three years. It arises amidst AAP’s assertions that the BJP aimed to fracture the party by enticing its MLAs and destabilizing the government in Delhi.
The previous motions of confidence were held in August 2022 and March 2023, amidst AAP’s claims of BJP’s “Operation Lotus” to poach its MLAs.
The AAP holds a substantial majority in the Delhi Assembly with 62 MLAs in the 70-member House. The opposition BJP has eight MLAs, seven of whom are currently suspended.
Presenting the confidence motion on Friday, Kejriwal stated, “Two MLAs approached me, claiming BJP members offered them Rs 25 crore each, stating Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would be arrested, and the government would fall.” He added, “The BJP attempted to contact 21 MLAs, pursuing ‘Operation Lotus.’ Despite this, our MLAs remained steadfast.”
Kejriwal asserted that none of the seven AAP legislators approached by BJP accepted the offer.
He remarked that BJP resorts to such tactics as it realizes its inability to win Delhi elections democratically.
During the discussion, AAP’s Kondli (East) MLA Kuldeep Kumar criticized BJP, alleging it lures and threatens opposition leaders nationwide, including himself.
Kumar emphasized AAP’s steadfastness against BJP’s attempts, stating the party cannot be swayed by threats or inducements.
AAP’s Dwarka (South-West) MLA Vinay Mishra accused BJP of repeatedly attempting MLA poaching, offering lucrative political positions and bribes.
Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, AAP MLA from Model Town, claimed attempts to destabilize the government, citing AAP’s accomplishments surpassing those of BJP and Congress in 70 years.