AAP in for a vertical split: Cong

Says over 30 AAP MLAs in touch with the party for almost a year, ready to switch sides

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

AFTER a humiliating defeat in the Delhi assembly elections, the Punjab unit of AAP is likely to face an internal bickering and a potential split, according to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. The veteran Congress leader had claimed that more than 30 AAP MLAs have been in touch with the grand old party for almost a year, ready to switch sides.

Bajwa told this newspaper that now a leadership battle is imminent, as the AAP leadership in Delhi will exert more control over Punjab. This move would face a strong resistance by CM Mann leading to a split in the party.

"The party leadership in the capital may want to replace Mann, especially since all the MLAs and the cadre in the state are aligned with party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal. A by-election is due in Ludhiana (West) assembly constituency. Kejriwal may be eyeing this seat to join the state assembly," he claimed.