But the Delhi Chief Minister said he was ready to undertake such a thing only if his opponents were Mr Singh's political bosses -- Sonia or Rahul Gandhi.
The war was triggered as Mr Kejriwal, who is on a three-day Punjab tour attacked not only the ruling Akali Dal, but also the previous Congress regime for neglecting industry in the state, which has been known for the Green Revolution since the 1960s.
Mr Singh responded with a tweet:
To which, Mr Kejriwal wrote back:Kejriwal better set his own house in order, before he sets his sights on Punjab
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
The response set off a war of words:Sir, Badals closed corruption cases against u just a few months before elections. Why? Punjab asking what's the deal? https://t.co/qJ0zLK8XeB
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 23, 2016
You and your shoot and scoot politics!! Tell us how many of those who you accused before elections have been put behind bars till now? (1/2) https://t.co/kN1rOaTxD5
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
Country is increasingly sick of your theatrics just to grab headlines! (2/2)
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 23, 2016
Sir, ppl talking in Punjab that u using Majithia's drug money in ur campaign. Is it true? U had saved him from CBI enquiry 3 yrs back https://t.co/RysiDptHT4
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 24, 2016
This was aimed at AAP's claim that it would bag 100 seats in the coming assembly elections in Punjab. A recent opinion poll conducted by a private news channel has claimed that the party's prospects are on the decline.When your hopes crash from 100 to 30 & still sliding,you're bound to hallucinate & see things that don't exist.आपको दिन में तारे दिख रहे हैं https://t.co/e9yfDIrBd4
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
Mr Singh then challenged Mr Kejriwal for an open debate.
But the Delhi Chief Minister, while accepting the challenge, suggested his Punjab teammates - Bhagwant Mann, Jarnail Singh, HS Phoolka and Gurpreet Ghuggi - represent him. He himself, he said, was ready for a debate with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi or her son and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.Now that you've shot your mouth, don't scoot like you typically do!Show courage & come for an open debate. Choose the time, place & platform https://t.co/e9yfDIrBd4
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
Enraged, Mr Singh tweeted:
To this, Mr Kejriwal shot off another tweet, alleging collusion between Congress and BJP. Then Mr Singh shot back:So you've chickened out!You're the'Aam Aadmi' who levels allegations on everyone bt wud like to engage only with PM & Presidents of parties! https://t.co/YNBR7T7XNM
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
Dr Navjot Kaur - the wife of cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu - meanwhile told the media that they were talking to both Aam Admi Party and the Congress and will soon decide which side they are on. She also praised the manifesto for industry released by Mr Kejriwal in Ludhiana on Sunday.Morning you started with Majithia,now you're bringing in BJP,next you'll say Donald Trump is conspiring with me against you. https://t.co/jiK22ycMQD
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) October 24, 2016
Mr Sidhu, who recently quit the BJP, had recently met Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. Sources said the only gap that remains is Mr Sidhu's reluctance to merge his recently floated Awaaz-e-Punjab with the Congress.
Today, in a media statement, Amarinder Singh reiterated that he had no reservations about Mr Sidhu and other leaders of Awaz-e-Punjab joining the party. "I was the one who told Sidhu, when he left the BJP, that he should join the Congress," said Mr Singh, who is the state chief of the Congress.
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