AAP hits out at BJP, calls it a shop for rejected political faces

The Aam Aadmi Party has launched a sharp attack against the BJP following discussions that MLAs Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra resigned to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has accused the BJP of gathering leaders who were ousted and rejected by other parties.

Speaking to journalists in Amritsar, AAP chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that by gathering rejected political faces, the BJP has become a "junk shop". He said that the Punjab government adopted a strict stance against corruption and took action even against its own ministers and MLAs, whereas the BJP is now associating with people facing serious allegations like opening fire on the police and rape.

Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal claimed that the BJP has no grassroots base left in Punjab and is trying to gather tainted faces ousted by the Congress, Akali Dal, and AAP to save its existence. He said those who broke party discipline had already been suspended and shown the door.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also issued a statement saying that Punjab's interests have always been a priority for the Aam Aadmi Party and there is no room for any corrupt person in the party. He alleged that the BJP has neither a credible leader nor a clear vision for Punjab, which is why it is resorting to rejected people.

Party media in-charge Baltej Pannu said that both MLAs have resigned, but the party had already sidelined them due to their actions. According to him, the BJP is not finding candidates in Punjab, which is why it is inducting people left behind by other parties.

On the other hand, MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, during a press conference in Chandigarh, termed the allegations against him regarding opening fire on the police as completely false. Nothing has yet been proved in court.

Key developments

• Two AAP MLAs Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra resigned from the party
• Aam Aadmi Party called BJP a "junk shop" and accused it of gathering rejected leaders from other parties
• Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Harpal Singh Cheema questioned the past of the rebel leaders
• Pathanmajra denied allegations against him through a press conference in Chandigarh