Ludhiana (Punjab): Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that the ruling SAD-BJP combine and opposition Congress in Punjab are "colluding" to stop AAP from coming to power in the state.
"SAD-BJP is having a nexus with Congress to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab..," Kejriwal said addressing a press conference here after releasing party's trade, industry and transport manifesto at a function in Ludhiana.
"Upcoming polls in Punjab will be AAP versus SAD-BJP-Congress combine, which could be evident from the recent withdrawal of corruption case against PPCC Chief
Captain Amarinder by Akalis," Kejriwal said referring to Punjab Vigilance Bureau's clean chit to Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh in his alleged role in Amritsar Improvement Trust land scam case.
"Why the case against Amarinder Singh only was withdrawn by Akalis, why not the same was done in the thousands of false cases registered against agitating employees, teachers and youth?," Kejriwal asked.
"There seems to be a tacit understanding between the Akali-BJP combine and the Congress to play a friendly match in a joint effort to defeat AAP in 2017 Punjab elections. It is a sort of Maha Gathbandhan (grand alliance) of these parties against AAP," he added.
Citing rampant drug abuse in the state, he said AAP is the best alternative to fight the menace.
When asked about the absence of leading industrialists of the state at his party's trade manifesto launch held on Sunday, Kejriwal remarked that they are scared of the Badals as there is still some months left for the elections.
On his way to Mandi Gobindgarh, Kejriwal also made a stopover in Khanna Mandi to take stock of the ongoing procurement of paddy.
