Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader and leader of opposition, Partap Bajwa on Monday claimed that 32 legislators of the state’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in touch with him awaiting an opportunity to switch loyalties.

Interacting with newspersons before the onset of the two-day assembly session here, Bajwa went on to say that after the poll debacle in Delhi, they (Delhi AAP leaders) are trying to capture Punjab. One can see Delhi leaders including Manish Sisodia visiting Punjab schools and Satyender Jain overseeing the health sector here, he said.

Stating that while Congress would not be responsible if the AAP government collapsed, BJP would be as some AAP MLAs are also in touch with BJP, he held adding that he had 45 years of political experience and cannot make false statements.

Accusing chief minister Bhagwant Mann of delaying the promised monthly aid of Rs 1,000 to women, Bajwa alleged that Mann’s government had already fallen in the eye of people by constantly lying.

MINISTER TRASHES BAJWA’S CLAIMS

However, Cabinet minister and state AAP president Aman Arora, dismissed Bajwa’s claims terming it pointless utterances. Bajwa’s remarks are irrelevant and make no sense, Arora said and added that even if one considered Bajwa’s claim, the AAP – which has 96 MLAs out of total 117 – would still have the majority and Congress which has 15 MLAs, would have only 47! Arora, a two-time MLA from Sunam, said that his (Bajwa;s) utterances should not be taken seriously. Daring Bajwa to prove his claim or step down from his position of leader of opposition, Arora held that Bajwa himself was in contact with BJP.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the inaugural day of the session passed obituary resolutions to pay tributes to prominent personalities who passed away recently.

Bajwa also urged Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to pass a resolution recommending the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh.

The Opposition parties have threatened to corner AAP on various issues including law and order, rising debt, deportation of illegal immigrants and farmers’ demands, during the session.