'What About Prime Minister,' Says AAP, Attacked Over 'Missing' Kejriwal

New Delhi: Under attack for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's absence at a special sitting of the Delhi assembly today, the Aam Aadmi Party launched a counter-offensive. 

"What about the Prime Minister? He is rarely seen in the country. The PM is always seen running after Obama. Why doesn't the PM roam in our country?" asked state health minister Satyendra Jain countering the BJP's Vijendra Gupta, who wanted to know why Mr Kejriwal is in Punjab.

"A special session was called and the Delhi CM is missing. From the cabinet, only three ministers are present, the rest are out," fumed Mr Gupta upset that when he got up in the assembly to question the chief minister's absence, his mic was switched off on the Speaker's order.

"Why, is Punjab not part of India?" asked the Speaker, telling the BJP lawmaker to take his seat.

"When we wanted to express dissent, the Speaker switched off our mics. Is this a democracy? Are we are coming to the assembly only to hear abuses?" asked Mr Gupta, who leads a three-member BJP team of lawmakers that makes up the entire opposition in the Delhi assembly.

He also alleged that the agenda of the special sitting was not shared with them "till the last minute." 

Mr Kejriwal is in Punjab for four days to rescue his party from multiple controversies in the state, where he hopes to establish a government in assembly elections to be held early next year. The BJP has accused him of neglecting his work as chief minister. 

Two of his six ministers were absent today. He is yet to replace Sandeep Kumar sacked last week over a sex scandal and now in jail.

The one-day Assembly session called to clear some money bills and discuss other matters.

Mr Kejriwal will be away from the capital for some time. After the Punjab visit he heads to Bengaluru on Monday where he will have throat surgery to cure a persistent cough.