The battleground for 2017 Punjab state assembly elections is already set. The upcoming polls are expected to be a 3-pronged fight between the three biggies– the ruling SAD-BJP team, AAP and Congress. While the BJP is unaffected by this political drama, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Congress leader Amarinder Singh are involved in a tussle over the Punjab throne. The irony is that the battle is not just restricted to the hinterlands of the state, but to Twitter, as well.
This isn’t very shocking. Kejriwal is known to pull up similar publicity stunts on social networks. But, to our surprise, it wasn’t Kejriwal who started the Twitter battle.
This is how the battle took place!
- Singh started the war by mentioning about the underhand deal between the AAP and Akali Dal members. After the AAP supremo declared Delhi-based Jarnail Singh as its contesting candidate against Prakash Singh Badal in Lambi, Amarinder Singh accused Kejriwal of colluding with SAD leaders to confirm Badal’s victory.
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, who probably didn’t realise that ‘silence is golden’ slammed Singh. He blamed Singh for reserving his seat in a safe constituency. Moreover, he taunted at him for not contesting against Bickram Singh Maijithia and Badal family.
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
- Flushing with anger, Singh challenged Kejriwal and said he would rather like to fight him since the chapter of the Badals is almost over.
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 battle resumed an ugly shape when AAP leader said that Singh’s fight is not against drugs, corruption or Badals, but against ‘innocent’ and ‘honest’ AAP members.
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 https://t.co/VXtZrIlgqs
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 29, 2016
- Singh then mocked at Kejriwal and said he was too scared to fight against him.
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, who is not very famous amidst the Punjab natives played on the safe side. Rather than contesting in the Punjab elections, he projected Bhagwant Mann as the chief ministerial candidate from Jalalabad, which is the constituency of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
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
Both the leaders bickered back and forth for some time, none of them willing to give up. By the grace of God, they seemed to have gained their long-lost senses and the war ended without any solid results.
As the 2017 Punjab assembly elections are approaching near, all the parties are expected to engage in a battle of wits and humour on social networks. It’ll be interesting to see the exchange of comments and sarcasm between them!