Congress Leader Claims AAP Leaders Eager to Join

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the chief of the Congress state unit in Punjab, has stirred controversy by suggesting that some leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are eager to join the Congress. This statement comes in the wake of discussions about a possible alliance between the two parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Warring’s remarks have added a new dimension to the political landscape in Punjab.

AAP’s Democratic Image Questioned

Speaking at an event where former Aam Aadmi Party youth wing president Gurtej Singh Pannu joined the Congress, Warring questioned the democratic credentials of the AAP. He claimed that the image of AAP as a democratic party had been shattered, and its leaders were now looking toward the Congress as a stable alternative.

“The bubble of AAP being a democratic party had burst, and its leaders were looking at the Congress as a stable alternative.”

Criticism of the Bhagwant Mann Government

Warring did not stop at questioning the AAP’s integrity; he also launched a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab. He criticized the government’s decision to withdraw the plan for holding panchayati elections and zila parishad elections, citing it as a clear display of incompetence. Warring further stated, “Now instead of apologizing and accepting his mistake, the CM has put the blame on officers, even though the final signatures are of the appointed minister and the chief minister.”

Congress Cadre Opposes Alliance

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa echoed similar sentiments, making it clear that the Punjab Congress cadre was not in favor of forming an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Bajwa revealed that the Congress high command had granted the state unit the autonomy to gauge the mood of the people of Punjab, party cadre, and workers. He emphasized, “The point of view of the Punjab Congress, including cadre and workers, is that we have no connections with AAP in the state and will fight the upcoming general elections in 2024 on our own.”

Bajwa went on to say, “Even after holding power in the state for the past 18 months, AAP is desperate to form an alliance with the Congress. No Punjab Congress leader has ever issued a statement about contesting elections in an alliance with AAP. It is only the AAP leadership that is making such statements because it has lost its ground in Punjab.”

CM Mann’s Response

When asked about the possibility of an alliance in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded by stating that a decision would be made at the appropriate time when the Lok Sabha election dates draw nearer.

The political landscape in Punjab is heating up as both the Congress and AAP navigate their respective paths in the lead-up to the crucial elections. Warring’s claims about AAP leaders wanting to switch sides have certainly added a new layer of intrigue to the unfolding political drama.

These developments underscore the significance of Punjab in the larger political landscape of India. As the state gears up for the upcoming elections, all eyes will be on the choices made by the political players and the impact these decisions will have on the outcome.