Saurabh Bharadwaj dares Alka Lamba to join Congress

NEW DELHI: A tense confrontation was seen on Twitter on Tuesday between two

AAP

MLAs after Congress released its manifesto without including full statehood for Delhi in it.


The argument reached such an extent that Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh

Bharadwaj

dared Chandni Chowk legislator Alka Lamba to join Congress. In response, Lamba hit back saying: “Why are you impatient. Some people have already gone. Some will not go so easily.” She was indirectly referring to several AAP leaders who have quit the party over the years.

The sparring began when Lamba wondered on Twitter how AAP and Congress would form an alliance when the latter hadn’t included the former’s main poll plank in its manifesto. “Every party has its own election manifesto. Congress manifesto promises full statehood to Puducherry but it is silent on Delhi. This makes it clear that full statehood for Delhi is not an issue for Congress. AAP is making statehood its main issue. How will an alliance be formed?” Lamba posted.

Her comment invited a sharp reaction from Bharadwaj, who quoting Lamba’s tweet stated on Twitter: “What do you want? Full statehood or ……”

Unable to digest this, Lamba reverted: “How does what I want make a difference… anyway the time to ask this question is over… now the people of Delhi will decide.”

However, the exchange of words didn’t stop at that. Bharadwaj replied: “The public should know what their leader wants, only then the public will take a decision about their leader.”

At this, Lamba reverted: “My public knows me well. In 2020 (when Delhi assembly election will take place) I will inform the public of my five years works and my thoughts. Secondly, my thoughts are contrary to yours. More than the public, a leader should know the thoughts and wishes of the public. The leader should not impose (themselves) on the public.”

Bharadwaj then asked what people in Lamba’s constituency wanted. “The public wants education, health, water, electricity, pollution-free Delhi, corruption-free system, security and respect. With all these they also want their leader to stand with them in moments of happiness and sorrow. They want that their leader does not make a promise which he cannot keep. The public has already been cheated, they do not want more betrayal,” she responded.

The remarks were seen in indirect reference to Lamba’s recent remark that “there is no internal democracy in AAP.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Bharadwaj also shared a video in which Lamba was seen slamming Congress and BJP over full statehood. Lamba pointed out that the AAP leadership didn’t consult people before deciding to seek an alliance with Congress. This prompted Bharadwaj to ask when is she going to ask people whether she should join Congress or not.

Lamba then announced that at 3pm on Wednesday at Jama Masjid she will ask people whether she should join Congress or not. Bharadwaj then told Lamba not to back out and said he will also participate in the meeting.