Chaturvedi alleges political conspiracy, claims AAP’s Rajinder Gupta May Switch to BJP
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE
Amid an ongoing legal battle in the Punjab and Haryana High Court over alleged forged signatures in the Punjab Rajya Sabha elections, Navneet Chaturvedi has intensified his attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing it of political vendetta and corruption.
Chaturvedi, who has approached the High Court seeking consolidation of multiple FIRs against him in Rupnagar (Ropar), alleged that the Punjab government deliberately framed him in false cases to derail his Rajya Sabha nomination. The state government, which was scheduled to submit its response on April 24, sought additional time before Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya. The court has now directed the government to file its reply by May 11.
Escalating his criticism, Chaturvedi claimed internal dissent within AAP, alleging that several leaders are dissatisfied and shifting allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “Those who sell Rajya Sabha seats cannot claim to uphold morality,” he said.
In a related development, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta has sought time in the election petition proceedings citing health reasons. Appearing before Justice Sanjay Vashisth, senior advocate Satyapal Jain informed the court that Gupta recently underwent heart surgery and requested a month’s extension to file a reply. Chaturvedi did not oppose the plea on humanitarian grounds. The matter is now scheduled for hearing on May 22.
While wishing Gupta a speedy recovery, Chaturvedi questioned the delay, stating that Gupta’s legal team could have filed the response. He argued that repeated adjournments may be aimed at prolonging Gupta’s tenure in the Rajya Sabha. Emphasising that election petitions must be resolved within six months, he expressed confidence that the High Court would eventually declare the election “null and void.”
In a politically charged remark, Chaturvedi further alleged that Gupta could soon leave AAP and join the BJP as part of a deal to retain his Rajya Sabha position, drawing parallels with Raghav Chadha.
