Is the Punjab branch of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) facing turmoil? In the wake of the electoral defeat in Delhi that marked the end of a decade of governance by Arvind Kejriwal and AAP in the national capital, the spotlight now shifts to Punjab. AAP currently holds a majority only in the state led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. When asked about the possibility of replacing Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab CM simply laughed in response.
On Tuesday, there was a gathering of AAP leaders. The meeting included former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia, all Punjab MLAs, and other key figures from the party.
“Our MLAs gathered here for a meeting with the party’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal. He expressed gratitude to them for their campaigning efforts during the Delhi Assembly elections. Our party has consistently worked for public welfare, whether in education or infrastructure. We need to expedite our efforts. Winning and losing are part of politics,” Bhagwant Mann stated.
“The people of Punjab still recall the work we have done for them. We have two more years to go in Punjab, and we will strive to make it a model state,” CM Bhagwant Mann emphasized.
Mann dismisses Congress’ dissent allegations within Punjab AAP
Following AAP’s defeat in Delhi, the Congress party claimed that there was unrest within AAP’s state unit, asserting the commitment of its leaders and activists.
Partap Singh Bajwa, a leader in Punjab Congress, recently asserted that over 30 AAP MLAs from the ruling party were in contact with his party and might switch allegiances. Bajwa suggested that these MLAs have realized that remaining with AAP may not be politically advantageous in the long term.
In a firm rebuttal, Mann stated, “I would urge Pratap Singh Bajwa to count how many MLAs they have in Delhi… The law and order situation in Punjab is better than in most states… As a border state, we need to exert extra effort, and we are doing just that.”
He asserted that AAP leaders are a “dedicated group with no vested interests.”
“Bajwa has previously claimed that 20 or 40 MLAs were in touch with him. Let him make those claims. Our party was formed through hard work and commitment, engaging with people in villages and towns across the state,” Mann remarked.
The chief minister concluded by stating that Punjab will be showcased as a model of development to the rest of the country prior to the next assembly elections in the state. AAP currently has 93 MLAs while Congress holds 16 in the 117-member Punjab Assembly.
