Arvind Kejriwal has an obsession with being the supreme. For maintaining his giant stature, he has never hesitated in ditching even the closest of his old associates. And in his recent move he has began side-lining the first chief minister of a full state from his party; Bhagwant Mann.
Kejriwal meets Punjab babus bypassing Mann
It was predicted by many that Arvind Kejriwal might control Punjab while sitting in Delhi. AAP through grand rallies and procession propagated their ‘truth’ that the state of Punjab will have its CM, who will be independent from the influence of Delhi, but the recent incidents elaborate a different tale altogether.
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On Monday, Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo met with senior officials of Punjab’s power department in the absence of state CM Bhagwant Mann. Kejriwal met with officials of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). Reportedly in the meeting state’s Chief Secretary and Secretary were present. As per the media reports, Kejriwal discussed about the hyped poll promise of free 300 units free electricity promised to the voters.
Opposition calls Mann a rubber stamp CM
The Opposition took up the opportunity in no moments and hauled the incumbent government over the coals. Taking a jibe at Arvind Kejriwal, they accused him of controlling the state of Punjab from Delhi. The Opposition also called out Mann for being just a rubber stamp.
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Former CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that his fear is coming true and said that Kejriwal has taken over Punjab. He wrote on Twitter, “Worst was feared, worst happened. Arvind Kejriwal has taken over Punjab much before it was expected to happen. That Bhagwant Mann is a rubber stamp was a foregone conclusion already, now Kejriwal has proved it right by chairing Punjab officers’ meeting in Delhi.”
BJP unleashed a harsh attack on Kejriwal and called it a “grossly” unconstitutional act. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, attacked the AAP convenor and said, “It was not only an insult to the state government officials but also a disgraceful moment for Punjab itself that it would be run by another chief minister from Delhi.”
BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia wrote to the governor Banwari Lal Purohit and urged him to restrain Punjab bureaucrats and seek an explanation from the chief secretary. Kalia insisted that if the chief secretary being the administrative head of the state, “transgresses the constitutional duties to please political masters, how will he stop the officers under him?”
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Navjot Singh Sidhu, the man who has currently no say in the politics of Punjab and even has been outcasted by his own party, surprisingly resorted to some sanity as he tweeted, “IAS officers summoned by Arvind Kejriwal in CM Bhagwant Mann’s absence. This exposes the de-facto CM and Delhi remote control. Clear breach of federalism, insult to Punjabi pride. Both must clarify (sic).”
However, the Aam Aadmi Party is leaving no stone unturned to whitewash the breach of federalism committed by Kejriwal. Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the meeting should not be made into an issue as Kejriwal is the AAP’s national convenor. Mann too said that he would too give good news to the people of the state.
AAP is headed towards a civil war
Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party recently registered victory in Punjab by gaining a mind boggling 92 seats out of the total 117 seats. As reported by TFI, the landslide victory of AAP vindicates that the voters have supported the party beyond religious and caste-based lines, it has some implications too. AAP’s victory in Punjab will not only affect national security but will also lead to numerous tussles and infights.
Read More- How Bhagwant Mann’s win will lead to civil war in AAP
Arvind Kejriwal is himself a CM of a ‘half state’ i.e. a union territory whereas his man Bhagwant Mann holds the power of a full state. Thus the “chief minister” of Delhi is not really satiated.
Anyone who follows politics genuinely knows that Kejriwal was looking forward to Punjab to fulfil his desires. But, entered Bhagwant Mann in the picture and demanded the CM chair for himself. Despite the thumping victory of AAP in Punjab, Kejriwal might lose out on his dream job. Bhagwant Mann has been made the chief minister of Punjab. There is no doubt about the fact that Kejriwal and Mann will be in identical offices. But at the end of the day, Punjab is politically much more significant, when compared to Delhi. And the result of it is quite visible.