The political atmosphere in Punjab heated up on Friday as the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) media head, Vineet Joshi, launched a sharp rebuttal against allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Baltej Pannu. Joshi dismissed Pannu's claims targeting the BJP-led Gujarat government regarding a purported audio clip linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, labeling the move a deliberate distraction.
An Attempt to Shift Electoral Focus?
In an official statement, Vineet Joshi asserted that the AAP's allegations were "an attempt to divert attention from the AAP's accountability in the ongoing local body elections." He argued that instead of addressing pressing governance issues, the ruling party in Punjab was fabricating narratives to mislead the electorate. Joshi pointed the finger back at the AAP by citing the now-viral television interview of Lawrence Bishnoi, which was conducted while the gangster was in police custody in Punjab.
He presented this interview as "clear evidence of the AAP's collusion." Joshi highlighted the state government's initial denial of the interview's existence, followed by the suspension of officers after the Punjab & Haryana High Court intervened. "This sequence exposes the government's contradictory claims," the BJP leader stated, aiming to underscore questions about the AAP administration's transparency.
Accusations of Failed Rural Development
Moving beyond the immediate audio controversy, Joshi mounted a broader attack on the AAP's performance in rural Punjab. He accused the party of failing in rural development throughout its 45-month tenure in the state. Making a specific financial allegation, Joshi claimed, "Even salaries of sarpanches and panches have been pushed onto panchayats," suggesting a breakdown in the state's support system for local village governance.
He further contended that the AAP was strategically using the purported audio from Gujarat to create a false narrative aimed specifically at misleading rural voters ahead of the crucial local polls. This, according to Joshi, was a tactic to cloak its own developmental shortcomings.
Another Viral Audio Surfaces
The BJP leader also addressed a separate purported audio clip that circulated on Thursday. Regarding this recording, Joshi alleged it revealed a troubling plot. "The clip highlighted a senior police officer, officials, and AAP leaders planning to tamper with the opposition nomination papers and intimidate candidates," he said. Joshi concluded with a severe accusation: "The AAP plans to win elections through police pressure."
This exchange marks a significant escalation in rhetoric between the two parties as Punjab's local body elections progress. The BJP's strategy appears focused on keeping the spotlight firmly on the AAP's governance record in Punjab, while the AAP seeks to bring national-level allegations against the BJP into the state's electoral fray.
