CHANDIGARH: BJP National Secretary Tarun Chugh today challenged Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to project himself as the chief ministerial candidate in Punjab Assembly polls and test his political strength and popularity.
He claimed that the "bubble of artificial charisma" of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh has burst much before the Punjab elections, slated for next year.
While Congress top brass is depending on Amarinder's 'popularity', everyone in its state unit has by now understood that even the erstwhile 'Maharaja' (by which Amarinder is popularly known as) could not revive the sagging fortunes of the party, Chugh claimed.
Terming Rahul's Punjab visit as his "frustration", the BJP leader said it is nothing more than "Rahul's political tourism which has not yielded results anywhere".
Even poll strategist Prashant Kishore could not ensure the projection of unity in the state unit of Congress which stands divided into several groups led by different leaders,Chugh claimed.
On the reported merger of SAD Longowal led by Barnalas, he said the "arrogant and egoistic captain of Punjab Congress" was planning to score victory with help of "a failed Manpreet Badal, the estranged nephew of the chief minister, and the rejected Barnalas who have no relevance in state politics".
Accusing Rahul and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of being "anti-Punjab", Chugh alleged their commitment and sentiments for the state are nothing as compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's who were doing their best to push for developmentagenda.
The BJP national secretary claimed people of Punjab have made up their mind to vote SAD-BJP combine to power for the third consecutive term as by now they know very well that AAPor Congress are no match for the alliance.