AAP MLAs would leave the party in large numbers following its poll debacle in Delhi, says the Congress MP and former deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday as he predicts mid-term polls in the state.
Asked about the Delhi polls and its impact on Punjab, Randhawa told reporters, "He had said that 'if I am corrupt, don't vote for me'. Now Delhiites have put their stamp and Kejriwal has lost badly. One supremo says that no one is honest except him, his deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) lost, and his jail minister lost."
"Their (AAP) meetings are taking place in Delhi, Kejriwal should have gone there (Punjab). Several of their MLAs are in contact with different parties. They will fall in such a manner and several people will leave the party. I would like to urge the high command that we desist from taking their MLAs and ministers," the Congress leader said.
Asked about reports claiming that AAP MLAs were in touch with the BJP, Randhawa said Mann has been in touch with Delhi for long.
"If they are in touch with them, I think Punjab will be harmed in the future," he said.
Also read: Kejriwal to meet Punjab CM, MLAs amid speculation of conflict
"There will be mid-term polls. If a few leaders go to the BJP then there will be bypolls. Bhagwant Mann has no control... So it is likely that there will be mid-term polls. If they (AAP MLAs) go, they will come in the Congress because the BJP has no future in Punjab," Randhawa said.
Hitting out at the Mann government, Randhawa said Punjab needs a government that works for the people.
"I need to ask Bhagwant Mann that there have been 12 hand-grenade attacks in Punjab, what has he done about it?" he said.
Over 30 AAP MLAs in touch with Cong, claims Bajwa
Meanwhile, the senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa went further, claiming, "More than 30 AAP MLAs in Punjab are in touch with us."
However, AAP leaders dismissed these claims. Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang responded sharply to Bajwa's remarks, saying, "Bajwa sahib is dreaming impossible dreams -- just like 'Mungerilal ke sapne' that will never come true. Even his own brother has joined the BJP." Kang also downplayed the speculation on dissent within the AAP, calling Kejriwal's meeting with Punjab MLAs a "routine strategy session".
"A party is a continuous process. Bhagwant Mann, along with our leadership, will meet our national convenor. This is part of regular discussions to shape future strategies," he said.
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