Amid speculations that the arrest of Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira by the state police could widen the rift within the INDIA bloc, Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said his party remains committed to the INDIA alliance.
Khaira, MLA from Bholath and the chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, was arrested on Thursday by Punjab Police for alleged involvement in drug smuggling and money laundering. Punjab Congress leaders have accused the ruling AAP of targeting its leaders by slapping false cases on them.
The arrest also came amid disagreements between AAP and Congress over the seat sharing ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
However, Kejriwal refuted reports of disagreements within the alliance. "AAP is committed to INDIA alliance. AAP will not separate ways from the INDIA alliance," he said.
The Delhi chief minister added that the Punjab government is committed to ending the drug menace in the state. "Yesterday I heard that the Punjab Police arrested a particular leader. I don't have the details and you will have to speak to Punjab Police for the same. But the Bhagwant Mann government is committed to ending the drug menace. In the fight against it, nobody will be spared however big or small they might be," Kejriwal told reporters during the meeting to announce a winter action plan for Delhi.
Meanwhile, the BJP has called out the AAP government for the timing of the MLA's arrest, stating it was a distraction tactic. "The timing of Sukhpal Singh Khaira's arrest speaks a lot of things. On one hand, farmers of Punjab are sitting on railway tracks and a few days back, Punjab Governor sought details on the Rs 50,000 crore debt. To distract from that, first, a case was registered against Manpreet Badal. To distract from the farmers' issue, Sukhpal Khaira has been arrested. This shows that the Government is not working with honest intentions," Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar told ANI.
The BJP chief said that the arrest also hinted at the divisions within the Congress in Punjab. "Sukhpal Singh Khaira didn't fall prey to just Bhagwant Mann, he was being disliked by his colleagues too. Celebrations are happening at the houses of big leaders of the Punjab Congress. They are shedding crocodile tears but were celebrating last night," Jakhar added.
