Video sting: Manish Sisodia explains how AAP 'laid a trap' for the BJP

The BJP had enough warning, but they did not pay heed. If they are caught in a sting operation now, they have only themselves to blame. This is, in short, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s take on a BJP leader getting caught on camera trying to lure an AAP legislator with money in exchange for support for the BJP in government formation in Delhi.

“We’re appalled by the audacity of the BJP. Arvind Kejriwal openly asked party workers to conduct sting on any such offer, and this news appeared in the media as well. Despite that, the BJP leader didn’t desist from such activity. It shows their desperation to come to power without facing election,” Sisodia told Firstpost. He added: “For over a month, we had been getting these feelers from the BJP and we laid a trap to get solid evidence against horse-trading.”

The 17-minute video, which was released by Kejriwal on Monday, shows the BJP vice-president Sher Singh Dagar and his aide Raghubir Dahiya allegedly offering an amount of Rs 4 crore to AAP MLA Dinesh Mohania from Sangam Vihar for switching his allegiance to the BJP. In the purported sting video, Dagar is heard telling Mohania that the BJP leaders are also in touch with other AAP MLAs. The conversation also shows that Dagar offered Mohania the post of managing director of any state corporation, if he doesn’t get re-elected as an MLA. The BJP leader allegedly assured the AAP MLA that the BJP would take care of all the election expenses and tickets would be given to all those MLAs who would resign from the AAP.

The BJP obviously threw caution to the wind and not many in the political circles believe what Dagar was doing was an individual act. “I was directly approached and then I informed the party about it. Talks were going on before also and now all videos are available,” said Mohania, while rubbishing Dagar’s claim that it was he who actually approached the latter to get into the BJP. Dagar has been dropped like a hot potato by the party, but the damage for the BJP is done already. It could cost it Delhi itself.

The AAP believes the video will discredit the BJP and help it reclaim Delhi. “AAP is confident to win with full majority as and when Delhi election takes place. This exposé would unmask the real face of the BJP,” Sisodia said. On BJP’s repeated attempt to win over AAP MLAs, Sisodia he said, “This has been going on for quite some time. Even BJP MP Manoj Tiwari approached Kumar Viswas. We’ve been regularly complaining against horse trading both inside the court and outside.”

“AAP has been pressing for fresh elections because its internal assessment shows it can improve its 2013 tally of 28 seats,” an AAP insider said, adding the BJP’s embarrassment will help the party.

Last week, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had, in a report to the President of India, sought permission to call the single largest party, the BJP, to form government, though it is well short of majority in the assembly. The AAP had called it an “open invitation for horse-trading” and said would amount to the “murder of democracy”. Later, party leaders led by Kejriwal had met President Pranab Mukherjee over the issue.