AAP drowning in scams, says Patkar after Kejriwal’s accusation

Panaji: The animosity between AAP and Congress continues to grow, with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s direct accusations against state Congress president Amit Patkar forcing the latter to drop all pretence of unity within the opposition ranks. The public spat is fast unravelling the opposition’s dream of unity to challenge BJP.

Kejriwal’s decision to publicly rule out any alliance with Congress, complete with barbs about the grand old party “supplying MLAs to BJP in wholesale”, was a clear political statement to Congress before the assembly elections in 2027. By directly accusing Patkar of close ties with chief minister Pramod Sawant, Kejriwal signalled that AAP is no longer content with playing second fiddle to Congress.

Patkar finds himself fighting on three fronts—against BJP, against AAP’s broadsides, and against his own party members who appear to be scheming to replace him. Instead of rebutting with policy, the party has slipped into a defensive crouch, accusing AAP of spreading doubt.

“BJP has sent Kejriwal with a mission to Goa to split votes. I warn you, and if you have guts, let us have an open debate in the next two days on this issue,” said Patkar.

Patkar asked Kejriwal to explain the “Rs 2,000cr classroom scam, liquor policy scam and other irregularities” in Delhi govt under Kejriwal’s watch. “AAP was born on anti-corruption slogans, now it’s drowning in its own scams,” said Patkar.

Patkar has challenged AAP to an open debate, a challenge that AAP’s state president Amit Palekar has accepted.