After receiving political backlash for his remark that "UP, Bihar, and Delhi are de bhaiye," Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has launched a counter-offensive against his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal over remarks made by his former party colleague Kumar Vishwas.
Mr Vishwas' remarks, in which he accused Mr Kejriwal of being power-hungry, have been labelled "false and provocative" by the AAP. AAP shared a footage from an interview with Mr Kejriwal in response to the outcry over Mr Vishwas' statements. "According to reports, Delhi's Chief Minister intends to divide India and become Prime Minister of one half. Is this plausible? "The Associated Press sent out a tweet. The party went on to remark, in a dig at Mr Vishwas, "He's a stand-up comedian who says anything he wants. It was taken seriously by (Prime Minister) Modi and (Congress leader) Rahul ji."
Also, senior party leader Raghav Chadha tweeted a strongly-worded statement, calling the comments "malicious, unfounded, fabricated and inflammatory". The comments are "redolent of promoting hatred, ill will, feeling of hostility in society and in particular against the Aam Aadmi Party... as also intending to create a situation of unrest," Mr Chadha tweeted.
Mr Channi provided a copy of the Election Commission's letter removing the ban on broadcasting recent remarks by Mr Vishwas that sparked a controversy late last night.
In a separate post, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch an investigation into the matter. "Apart from politics, the people of Punjab have paid a high price in the fight against separatism. Every Punjabi's concern must be addressed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister "In a veiled attack on Mr Kejriwal, with whom he has been throwing barbs in the run-up to the Punjab elections, where AAP is a leading contender, he said.
Mr Vishwas is seen retelling an old chat with AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in a video that has gone viral and offered ammunition to Mr Kejriwal's political opponents amid the heated campaign for Assembly elections in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Mr Kejriwal is overheard saying, "One day, he (Mr Kejriwal) told me he would either become CM (of Punjab) or the first PM of an independent nation (Khalistan)... he wants power at any cost."
After acrimony with Mr Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, Kumar Vishwas withdrew from AAP five years ago. Senior party leaders accused him of attempting to split the party and destabilise Delhi's Arvind Kejriwal-led government.
Mr Vishwas' words at a rally in Punjab yesterday prompted Prime Minister Modi to claim that Mr Kejriwal and his party have the "same ambition" as Pakistan, namely, "to break India... to join hands with separatists to gain power." Every voter and citizen, he said, should take the claims seriously.
Mr Channi has also used the video to retaliate against his Delhi counterpart, who has been under criticism for his remark that "UP, Bihar, Delhi de bhaiye."
Mr Channi had remarked during an election rally in Punjab alongside Congress politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: "Punjab's daughter-in-law, Priyanka Gandhi, is the bahu of Punjabis. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi de bhaiye are not allowed to rule here. We won't let UP bhaiyas wander into Punjab."
The result was a massive political backlash. Mr. Kejriwal was one of the first to criticise the statements, calling them "shameful." "It's a complete embarrassment. We vehemently oppose any remarks directed at a specific person or group "Mr. Kejriwal explained.
Mr. Channi then clarified his statement, saying it was twisted. In a video message, he stated, "I only meant people like Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, and Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party leaders) who come from outside and make problems."
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