NEW DELHI:
Kejriwal, addressing a gathering of traders in Amritsar, he referenced Shah’s statement, saying, “He gave a threat. He issued a threat that after June 4, the Punjab government will be toppled. Bhagwant Mann will no longer remain the chief minister after June 4.”
Kejriwal questioned the possibility of toppling the government, saying, “We have 92 seats (MLAs).
How can you topple (government)? There is a dictatorship (in the country).”
He alleged that BJP leaders were openly saying they would threaten the legislators with the CBI and the ED and then “buy” them and added, “Do not threaten the people of Punjab. Otherwise, they will make it difficult for you to enter Punjab.”
During an interaction in Bathinda, Kejriwal asked Shah to explain what “conspiracy” has been hatched to topple the AAP government in Punjab. He said, “Such language was never used by any home minister,” and alleged that Shah had openly threatened the people of Punjab.
He asked, “What plan do you have to topple the government? Will you scare the people of Punjab with ED and CBI? Or will you impose president’s rule?” and claimed the BJP wants to end the free electricity facility in Punjab and urged people to give 13 seats to the AAP for the continuation of free electricity.
Criticising the Narendra Modi government, Kejriwal highlighted it has done no work in the last 10 years to show to the people.
Responding to Shah’s remarks, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, said, “Do you have the courage to topple the government? We have 92 seats. They are threatening us. Are you coming (here) to seek votes or threaten to topple the government?” Mann questioned Shah’s threat, saying, “What do you think of us? Do you think we are for sale? Such a threat will not work. Punjabis are angry over this.”
Mann accused the BJP of playing politics of hatred and polarization and said that the AAP was seeking votes in Punjab based on the work done by his government in the last two years. He noted that the prime minister is unable to talk about building schools and giving jobs, which is why he is only speaking about ‘mangalsutra’, meat, and ‘Pakistan.’
Mann criticized the BJP for terming his request for an extension of interim bail for medical tests as a “drama.”
Speaking on seeking extension of bail, Kejriwal said, “They earnestly wish that Kejriwal die. If anybody loses seven kg in one month without any apparent reason, then it is a serious problem. Doctors have prescribed many tests. I sought only one week for tests. Unexplained weight loss is a serious thing.”
Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam in March and is currently out on interim bail till June 1.
(With agency inputs)
