Bharat Bhushan Ashu responds to Arvind Kejriwal and defends his record as opposition MLA in Punjab.
Ludhiana: Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu has launched a fierce counterattack against
(AAP) supremo,
, accusing him of disrespecting Punjab and its people in the lead-up to the Ludhiana West byelection.
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Ashu, addressing supporters and the media on Wednesday, dismissed Kejriwal's recent claim — that only a govering party MLA can deliver development — as "undemocratic" and "an insult to the spirit of Punjab". He argued that Kejriwal's remarks revealed a lack of faith in democracy and an intent to sideline opposition voices. "What is Kejriwal's authority to say I can't do anything for Ludhiana West? This only proves what everyone in Punjab knows: the state govt is being run directly from Delhi," Ashu said.
The Congress nominee further alleged that Kejriwal and the AAP leadership treated Punjabi leaders and workers as "second-class citizens", and that the real fight was to restore Punjab's honour and autonomy. "My fight is against Kejriwal and for redeeming the dignity of Punjab, Punjabis, and Punjabiyat," Ashu declared, adding that even AAP insiders are frustrated by the growing influence of Delhi-based leaders over Punjab's affairs.
Ashu also challenged Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to a public debate on corruption, pointing out that he had been exonerated by the courts while senior AAP leaders, including Kejriwal's close aides, still face serious corruption charges. He called the AAP's accusations against him "a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black", and accused the govt of presiding over record levels of corruption in Punjab.
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Expressing confidence ahead of the vote, Ashu predicted a decisive Congress victory and warned AAP leaders and govt officials against "misusing their positions." He said, "Nothing is hidden. Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is forgiven… Congress will win, and what awaits you after that will be your own responsibility."
The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. The byelection is set for June 19, with results to be declared on June 23.
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