A war of words broke out on Twitter between Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal with the former daring the AAP chief to contest against him in the upcoming Punjab polls.
Kejriwal said he was not contesting Punjab assembly elections and was fighting the Badals and state minister Bikram Singh Majithia to help free the state from the menace of drugs, following which Amarinder demanded an apology from him for making "false personal commitments".
"Always knew your screeching in Punjab was pure drama! Now that you've conceded, apologise for your months of lies & false personal commitments," Amarinder said on Twitter.
His reply came after Kejriwal said, "I m not fighting punjab elex. So, ur challenge hollow. We r fighting Badals/Majithia, who sunk Punjab in drugs. N u r fighting us, not them?"
Always knew your screeching in Punjab was pure drama!Now that you've conceded,apologise for your months of lies & false personal commitments https://t.co/Yigu9ZlQj3
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 29, 2016
I m not fighting punjab elex. So, ur challenge hollow. We r fighting Badals/Majithia, who sunk Punjab in drugs. N u r fighting us, not them? https://t.co/yxtvCGv0Xo
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 29, 2016
The Twitter war started with Aam Aadmi Party nominating former journalist and Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh to contest against Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi constituency.
Amarinder termed Jarnail as a "weak candidate" and alleged that AAP was "colluding" with the Badals.
"Jarnail's nomination bid from Lambi shows AAP-SAD collusion to ensure Badal's victory. Reeks of an underhand deal!" the PCC chief tweeted.
Jarnail’s nomination bid from Lambi shows AAP-SAD collusion to ensure Badal’s victory. Reeks of an underhand deal!
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 28, 2016
Kejriwal replied, "Sir, r u fighting against Prakash Badal ji or Sukhbir Badal or Majithia or safe seat?"
Amarinder then dared Kejriwal to contest against him and tweeted, "Badals' story is over. You tell me where you're contesting from and I will come fight you there!"
The AAP chief retorted, "So, u r fighting me, not Badals/drugs. Badals also say they will fight against me. U n Badals wish to fight agnst me not agnst each other."
Badals' story is over. You tell me where you're contesting from and I will come fight you there! https://t.co/rpghXJoSwo
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 28, 2016
The former Punjab chief minister shot back with a tweet saying, "I've defeated Jaitely-Majithia combine when you didn't even know a thing about Punjab. But tell us, why are you so scared of fighting me?"
I've defeated Jaitely-Majithia combine when you didn't even know a thing about Punjab. But tell us, why are you so scared of fighting me? https://t.co/qXKFNluReM
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 29, 2016
Kejriwal then replied that he was not contesting Punjab polls and was only seeking to free Punjab from the menace of drugs mafia allegedly patronised by the present dispensation.
Congress, which has been in political wilderness for a decade now after losing two successive elections at the hands of the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine, is seeking to wrest back power.
Amarinder, who is contesting his last elections, is Congress' face in Punjab, but is pitted against entrant AAP which is giving Congress a good fight. Punjab assembly elections are slated for early next year and the announcement of its schedule is likely soon.