New Delhi: Opposition parties in Punjab have accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of running the state by “remote control”.
The Aam Admi Party chief reportedly held a meeting with Punjab officials in the absence of his party colleague and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Kejriwal met top officers of the Punjab State Power Corporation with the chief secretary and secretary (power) in Delhi, but not Mann.
Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted: “Punjab’s IAS officers summoned by @ArvindKejriwal in CM @BhagwantMann’s absence. This exposes the Defacto CM & Delhi remote control. Clear breach of federalism, insult to Punjabi pride. Both must clarify.”
Former chief minister Amarinder Singh said “Kejriwal had taken over Punjab much before expected”.
Singh tweeted: “Worst was feared, worst happened. @ArvindKejriwal has taken over Punjab much before it was expected to happen. That @BhagwantMann is a rubber stamp was a foregone conclusion already, now Kejriwal has proved it right by chairing Punjab officers’ meetings in Delhi.”
The AAP, however, is unfazed with this criticism. Spokesperson Malwinder Singh was reported saying: “Mr Kejriwal is our national convener. We always take his guidance… if constructive steps are taken for betterment for Punjab… then the Opposition should support.”
AAP swept the Punjab Assembly polls last month with 92 of the 117-seat Assembly. Ruling Congress got 18, Shiromani Akali Dal three, BJP two and BSP and Independents one each.
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