New Delhi: In a shocking claim, Punjab’s Leader of the Opposition, Congress’s Pratap Singh Bajwa, said that “more than 32” MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party are in touch with him, indicating that others could also be in contact with the BJP. He dropped hints that the AAP government in Punjab could be on the verge of collapse.
But, he added that the Congress will not bring down the government. “The BJP will do that,” he told NDTV. Bajwa pointed out that it’s not only the MLAs, but also ministers and other key leaders. He added that the Congress has clearly stated that it will not take any steps to destabilise this government. It is the BJP that will cause its downfall, Bajwa said.
The Punjab’s Leader of the Opposition said that Congress wants the AAP government to finish a five-year term, “So the people can see what kind of government they voted for”.
The Congress leader alleged that AAP leaders are frustrated because thousands of crores of rupees have gone to Australia and other states through hawala channels under AAP’s tenure. He alleged that this money came from the liquor trade and land-use changes.
AAP responds
Slamming the Congress leader, AAP accused Bajwa of allegedly planning to switch to the BJP. AAP leader Neel Garg claimed that Pratap Bajwa had already secured his ticket in BJP. He had met senior BJP leaders in Bengaluru, Garg said, adding that Rahul Gandhi should be watchful about Pratap Bajwa.
After AAP was trounced in Delhi elections, the pressure has mounted on Bhagwant Mann government. Recently, the Punjab government launched a large-scale anti-corruption campaign, to show that it was meeting its pre-election promises. Last week, as many as 52 police officers, including constables and inspectors, were sacked on corruption charges. Besides, Varinder Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer, was removed from his post as chief director of the Vigilance Bureau and directed to report to the police chief.
