Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and Congress member, Partap Bajwa, has asserted that over 32 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state are in communication with him. Bajwa further alleged that several other MLAs, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, are also in contact with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
“The AAP MLAs recognize that this will be their final term. They are exploring options with new parties for ticket opportunities. I am in contact with these 32 MLAs. We will assess who should be brought in, who is likely to succeed in the elections, and who may not. This will unfold at the appropriate time,” Bajwa informed reporters outside the Punjab Assembly on February 25.
The AAP controls 93 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly, while Congress holds 16 seats and the BJP has 2.
“It’s not just MLAs; even ministers are reaching out to me. Aman Arora is also aware of this situation,” the Congress leader mentioned.
CM’s Alleged Links with BJP?
Bajwa also suggested that Mann has connections with the BJP. “Once (Arvind) Kejriwal decides to remove him, he (Mann) will simply pack his bags and join the BJP,” he claimed.
In response, Aman Arora, the president of AAP’s state unit, contended that it is Bajwa who has made an “advance booking” to join the BJP.
“Partap Bajwa has already made arrangements to join the BJP. I challenge Rahul Gandhi to ask Bajwa what he was doing in Bengaluru recently and which senior BJP leaders he met,” Arora stated, dismissing the allegations against the AAP government as unfounded.
“Bajwa is merely disseminating rumors and making exaggerated claims that lack credibility. The Congress leader is out of touch with his own MLAs. He lost Sandeep Jakhar to the BJP and yet continues to speak about undermining our government. His assertions are absurd and devoid of any factual support.”
The AAP government in Punjab has drawn attention following the party’s defeat in the national capital earlier this month. Immediately after AAP’s loss in Delhi, the Punjab chief minister was in Delhi for a meeting with AAP leaders. The gathering included former Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia, all Punjab MLAs, and other key party officials.
