Arvind Kejriwal affirms AAPs dedication to INDIA amidst Punjab Congress dispute
The arrest of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was notable as he strongly opposed any alliance between Congress and AAP in Punjab for Lok Sabha elections
New Delhi, September 29: Amidst the escalating tensions between AAP and Congress in Punjab over the arrest of MLA Sukhpal Khaira on drug charges, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reaffirmed AAP's commitment to the INDIA opposition bloc. Kejriwal emphasised that AAP would not separate from the INDIA alliance while maintaining their dedication to combating drug addiction.
The arrest of Sukhpal Khaira, a significant figure opposing any alliance with AAP in Punjab under the INDIA umbrella for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, sparked a fierce dispute between the two parties. Both AAP and Congress are part of the INDIA coalition, aiming to collaborate against the BJP in the state elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Discussions were scheduled to distribute the seats among the parties in Punjab, Delhi, and Gujarat.
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Allegations from Punjab Congress leaders suggest that AAP is "targeting" senior figures, citing the earlier arrests of ex-ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and ex-Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni before Khaira's arrest. Amarinder Raja Warring, the Congress' Punjab chief, expressed his frustration and vowed to fight against what he referred to as a "false case" against Khaira.
Congress national leader Mallikarjun Kharge voiced his stance against injustice and pledged to investigate the matter further. AAP defended Khaira's arrest as part of their "zero tolerance policy" against drugs, citing the presence of "sufficient admissible evidence." They also blamed the previous Shiromani Akali Dal government for not arresting Khaira earlier.
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The rift between AAP and Congress over Khaira's arrest has placed their seat-sharing arrangement in jeopardy. Sukhpal Khaira, who vehemently opposes any alliance with AAP in the state, plays a crucial role in the Congress party as Chairman of the Congress' Kisan Cell and as a lawmaker.
Additionally, Minister Anmol Gagan Mann has claimed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed the AAP to contest all 13 seats in Punjab, further complicating the situation. In the previous Punjab Assembly elections, AAP secured a dominant victory with 92 seats, defeating the Congress by a significant margin.