AAP crisis in Punjab? Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claims 30 AAP MLAs in touch
PTC Web Desk: Following Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) severe defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, political turbulence has erupted in Punjab. Senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa has claimed that 30 AAP legislators are in contact with his party, raising speculations about internal discord within the ruling AAP in Punjab.
In response, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has summoned all Punjab MLAs to Delhi for an urgent meeting on Tuesday at Kapurthala House. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other Cabinet ministers will be attending the meeting. The meeting's urgency has even led to the postponement of Punjab’s Cabinet meeting originally scheduled for February 10.
Despite Partap Singh Bajwa’s claims, AAP still holds a comfortable majority in the 117-member Punjab Assembly. The party had secured a landslide victory in 2022, winning 92 seats, while the Congress won 18, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 3, BJP 2, and BSP 1. The majority mark in Punjab is 59, meaning even if 30 MLAs defect, AAP would still retain 62 seats—enough to remain in power.
AAP denies crisis; calls meeting a routine discussion
Dismissing reports of instability, the AAP spokesperson has stated that the meeting in Delhi was a routine party discussion.
On the other hand, Congress MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi has criticised AAP’s central leadership, alleging that Punjab’s resources are being exploited and that Rajya Sabha nominations were given to outsiders instead of Punjabis. He claimed that AAP legislators are frustrated with Delhi's control over Punjab and may switch allegiance to the Congress or the BJP.
BJP leader and former MP Sushil Rinku also weighed in, stating that the upcoming meeting confirms that Punjab is still being governed from Delhi. He said internal dissatisfaction might lead to a rebellion within AAP’s Punjab unit.
AAP’s defeat in Delhi has intensified political debates in Punjab. Despite heavy campaigning by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and other ministers, the party’s seat count plummeted from 62 to just 22. Meanwhile, the BJP surged to victory, winning 48 seats and forming a government in Delhi for the first time in 27 years.
During the campaign, AAP leaders highlighted Punjab’s governance model, emphasising achievements such as 50,000 government jobs, 300 units of free electricity, and the establishment of 850 Mohalla Clinics. However, these efforts failed to resonate with Delhi voters, particularly on issues like the unfulfilled promise of Rs 1,000 per month for women in Punjab.
AAP’s future hinges on Punjab
With its electoral downfall in Delhi and failure to secure any Lok Sabha seats in the capital in 2024, AAP’s hold on Punjab is now more critical than ever. In Punjab, it managed to win only 3 out of 13 Lok Sabha seats, signaling a decline in support.
Kejriwal now aims to consolidate his party’s position in Punjab to maintain political relevance at the national level. With the state budget announcement approaching, sources suggest that AAP may introduce key policy decisions to regain voter confidence.
- With inputs from agencies
