NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has called Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, ministers and party MLAs to Delhi for deliberations on Tuesday, in a move that was not only seen as aimed at insulating its government but also termed by rivals as “preparation” for the removal of Mann from the top post.
Although AAP termed it an “organisational meeting” for feedback and acknowledging work done by Mann and Punjab MLAs in Delhi polls, it intensified speculation about unrest in the party over failure to deliver its poll promises and growing tensions between Kejriwal and Mann. AAP Punjab netas will attend along with party members from Delhi.
Stirring the pot, BJP’s Tarun Chugh claimed “countdown for Mann’s government has started”, while party MLA Majinder Sirsa cautioned the CM on “plans afoot to remove him”.
Congress’s Bajwa says 30 of Mann’s MLAs in touch; ‘Mungerilal’, says AAP
Congress talked about the imminent prospect of mid-term polls in Punjab. “More than 30 AAP MLAs in Punjab are in touch with us,” said leader of opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, while Congress MP from Gurdaspur Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa predicted mid-term polls. “It depends on how many AAP MLAs switch sides. Congress is the only option for AAP MLAs as BJP has no future in state,” he said.
AAP senior spokesperson Neel Garg, however, accused Sirsa of “rumour mongering” to please BJP leadership as he was in race for Delhi CM’s post. “Mann is leading a stable AAP government in Punjab and Sirsa should now worry about delivering BJP’s pre-poll promises in Delhi,” he said.
“Bajwa is dreaming impossible dreams – just like ‘Mungerilal’. Even his brother (Fatehjang Bajwa) joined BJP,” AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang said, downplaying speculation on dissent within AAP & calling Kejriwal’s meeting with Punjab MLAs a “routine strategy session”. After Kejriwal called the meeting, Punjab government Monday postponed a cabinet meeting which had to be held after nearly 5 months to decide dates for state budget session. “Delhi got rid of ‘AAP-da’and now Punjab also want to get rid of it. Mann government has failed to tackle the liquor, sand and mining mafia,” BJP national general secretary Chugh said.
Political circles were also surprised by the move because of both timing and the optics. Mann, ministers and MLAs of Punjab being called to Delhi is a throwback to days when the all-powerful “high command” could dispense with niceties and need to be sensitive to regional sentiments.
Congress Punjab in-charge Devender Yadav told TOI, “AAP MLAs have been restless over being controlled from Delhi. Now that Kejriwal has lost in Delhi, the unrest is growing. This uncertainty over where the control lies could trigger a split as a splinter group within AAP MLAs has been taking shape for some time.”