Before the final showdown in 2017, the political titans clashed in the virtual world on Monday. Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday locked horns on the micro-blogging website, Twitter, after the AAP chief accused the former Chief Minister of using “drug money” in his campaign.
Capt Amarinder put out a stinging response to Kejriwal, saying that he was “hallucinating” and seeing things that “don’t exist”.
The two leaders have been increasingly trading barbs on Twitter as the Assembly election nears. “Sir, ppl talking in Punjab that u using (Bikram Singh) Majithia’s drug money in ur campaign. Is it trueIJ U had saved him from CBI enquiry 3 yrs back (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted.
Majithia is Punjab’s Revenue Minister. The Punjab Congress chief was quick to respond, saying that Kejriwal was “seeing stars during the day”.
“When your hopes crash from 100 to 30 & still sliding, you’re bound to hallucinate & see things that don’t exist,” Capt Amarinder tweeted in response.
Kejriwal has been alleging a “nexus” between the Congress and the ruling Akalis in poll-bound Punjab. He has dubbed Singh their “joint chief ministerial candidate” after releasing party’s poll manifesto for trade and industry a day before in ludhiana.
“Sir, Badals closed corruption cases against u just a few months before elections. WhyIJ Punjab asking what’s the dealIJ” Kejriwal tweeted on Sunday, responding to which Capt Amarinder asked the AAP chief to “set his own house in order, before he sets his sights on Punjab”.
Kejriwal was referring to Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s clean chit to Capt Amarinder
in his alleged role in the Amritsar Improvement Trust land scam case.
Taking Kejriwal head on, Capt Amarinder tweeted, “You and your shoot and scoot politics!! Tell us how many of those who you accused before elections have been put behind bars till nowIJ...Country is increasingly sick of your theatrics just to grab headlines!”
The two leaders even went on to challenge each other for an open debate. “Now that you’ve shot your mouth, don’t scoot like you typically do! Show courage & come for an open debate. Choose the time, place & platform,” said Capt Amarinder.
Pat came the reply, “I accept ur challenge sir. I suggest 4 names — HS Phoolka, Jarnail Singh, Bhagwant or Gurpreet. Speaker, date, time, place of ur choice,” Kejriwal tweeted.
In response, Capt Amarinder said: “Punjabis believe in leading from the front, not hiding behind others. Or have you already accepted that you can’t face me for a public debateIJ”
“I am not hiding behind anyone sir. I am ready for a debate with Rahul ji or Sonia ji anytime. Our Punjab team will debate wid u,” the AAP leader responded.
Capt Amarinder stated, “So you’ve chickened out! You’re the ‘Aam Aadmi’ who levels allegations on everyone bt wud like to engage only with PM & Presidents of parties!”
Tweeting in Hindi, Kejriwal maintained that it would be good in case Capt Amarinder hold debate with his Punjab team, while posing another question. “Well, your wish! But sir, why BJP’s entire army is defending youIJ” he tweeted in Hindi.
Capt Amarinder, finally took a dig at Kejriwal, tweeted, “Morning you started with Majithia, now you’re bringing in BJP, next you’ll say Donald Trump is conspiring with me against you.”