Six corporators of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) here in Gujarat have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of state cabinet minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Welcoming the AAP corporators into the party fold on late Friday night, Sanghavi, the Gujarat Home Minister, said "the country is now witnessing the true face of the AAP".
"AAP leaders spared nothing to defame Gujarat and the people of the state. Corporators of AAP joined the BJP with a pledge to develop their respective wards," he said.
One of the six corporators, Ruta Kheni, said she was influenced by the BJP's ideology and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership style.
Meanwhile, the AAP's state unit alleged that its corporators were being threatened and persuaded into defecting to the BJP.
AAP corporator Dipti Sakariya said in a video statement that she was offered money to join the party.
Rachna Hirpara, another AAP corporator, said: "Offers have been made to us ever since we won the election. BJP has been giving offers, and many corporators fell for it and took up to Rs 50 lakh to join the ruling party."
In the February 2021 Surat Municipal Corporation elections, the AAP bagged 27 wards in the 120-member civic body.
The Congress failed to open its account, while the BJP won 93 seats.
In February 2022, five AAP corporators had already switched to the BJP but one of them later rejoined the AAP.
With the latest defections, the AAP's strength in the Surat civic body has been reduced to 17.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.