New Delhi: Battle lines have been drawn on social networking site Twitter as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh engaged in a war of words on Monday and challenged each other to an open debate ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections in Punjab.
While the Aam Aadmi Party kicked off its campaign and even managed to declare half of its 117 candidates, the Congress has been a little slow.
As Captain Amarinder Singh hits the road, not surprisingly, it is AAP and its chief Arvind Kejriwal who will bear the brunt of his frontal attacks.
So far, AAP has targeted the incumbent SAD-BJP, with Kejriwal promising not to leave Punjab till the Badals are "ousted and jailed". He has alleged that the SAD-BJP combine and Congress are "hand-in-glove" in this election.
Kejriwal also tweeted making this claim with a video.
Akalis n Cong fighting elections together in Punjab. Captain their joint CM candidate. Do watch this video https://t.co/blYfrOaVlg— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 23, 2016
The AAP's emergence on the Punjab poll scene has turned the upcoming elections into a three-way contest, where the Congress and AAP are trying to wrest power from the SAD-BJP combine, while also trying to outdo each others' popularity.
As Kejriwal released the AAP manifesto for traders in Ludhiana, Amarinder Singh shot off six tweets asking him to "set his own house in order" before eyeing Punjab.
Kejriwal better set his own house in order, before he sets his sights on Punjab— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
Kejriwal hit back.
Sir, Badals closed corruption cases against u just a few months before elections. Why? Punjab asking what's the deal? https://t.co/qJ0zLK8XeB— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 23, 2016
Amarinder retorted with a barrage of tweets.
You and your shoot and scoot politics!! Tell us how many of those who you accused before elections have been put behind bars till now? (1/2) https://t.co/kN1rOaTxD5— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
Country is increasingly sick of your theatrics just to grab headlines! (2/2)— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
But Kejriwal sidestepped that question and took on Amarinder again.
Sir, ppl talking in Punjab that u using Majithia's drug money in ur campaign. Is it true? U had saved him from CBI enquiry 3 yrs back https://t.co/RysiDptHT4— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 24, 2016
Amarinder Singh hit back and asked Kejriwal whether he was hallucinating and also challenged him to a debate.
Now that you’ve shot your mouth, don’t scoot like you typically do!Show courage & come for an open debate. Choose the time, place & platform https://t.co/e9yfDIrBd4— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
The Delhi Chief Minister was quick to respond.
I accept ur challenge sir. I suggest 4 names- H S Phoolka, Jarnail Singh, Bhagwant or Gurpreet. Speaker, date, time, place of ur choice https://t.co/lYrOMgEET3— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 24, 2016
The Captain retorted with equal elan.
Punjabis believe in leading from the front,not hiding behind others.Or have you already accepted that you can't face me for a public debate? https://t.co/PV8jvsG9EH— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
But Kejriwal wasn't the one to back down.
I am not hiding behind anyone sir. I am ready for a debate with Rahul ji or Sonia ji anytime. Our punjab team will debate wid u. https://t.co/EeSqHHZLss— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 24, 2016
And so was Amarinder, who thought he would have the last word.
So you've chickened out!You're the'Aam Aadmi' who levels allegations on everyone bt wud like to engage only with PM & Presidents of parties! https://t.co/YNBR7T7XNM— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
But the war of words was far from over.
सर, अच्छा होता आप हमारी पंजाब टीम से debate को तैयार हो जाते। ख़ैर, आपकी मर्ज़ी। पर सर, सारी BJP की फ़ौज आपको क्यों defend कर रही है? https://t.co/lMcudF31O9— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 24, 2016
Amarinder was all guns blazing this time.
Morning you started with Majithia,now you're bringing in BJP,next you'll say Donald Trump is conspiring with me against you. https://t.co/jiK22ycMQD— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
Will Amarinder have the last word? We will wait to find out.