A meeting convened by Kejriwal in New Delhi with top officials of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Monday triggered a controversy. The state chief secretary and secretary (power) were present at the meeting. This gave fresh fodder to Opposition parties that have long accused Kejriwal of remote controlling the Punjab government from Delhi.
“IAS officers summoned by Arvind Kejriwal in CM Bhagwant Mann’s absence. This exposes the de-facto CM and Delhi remote control. Clear breach of federalism, insult to Punjabi pride. Both must clarify (sic),” tweeted former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. Former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh alleged that the “worst had happened” and that Kejriwal “has taken over Punjab” long before expected.
“Worst was feared, worst happened. Arvind Kejriwal has taken over Punjab much before it was expected to happen. That Bhagwant Mann is a rubber stamp was a foregone conclusion already, now Kejriwal has proved it right by chairing Punjab officers’ meeting in Delhi,” tweeted Singh.
According to sources, the meeting was called ahead of Mann’s visit to New Delhi. In the run-up to the Punjab elections, AAP had promised 300 units of free electricity to everyone. As Mann’s government completes one month in power this Saturday, the party top brass is getting restless over not fulfilling this specific promise and ₹1,000 to all women. This issue was reportedly discussed in detail at Monday’s meeting. Mann later met Kejriwal on Tuesday over this and took to Twitter to promise that he would give “good news to the people of Punjab soon”.
While AAP did not respond to the criticism by the Opposition, a party spokesperson justified the meeting and said the opposition “should support” constructive steps for Punjab. “Mr Kejriwal is our national convener. We always take his guidance. If for some constructive step and betterment of Punjab, an informal meeting was held, then opposition should not criticise it, but rather support it,” AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang told reporters in Chandigarh. Officers have maintained that they were on a “study tour” to examine the way Delhi is providing free electricity.
