The North News
Chandigarh, February 10
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing internal turmoil in Punjab following its heavy defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, raising speculation over Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership and the influence of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal.The AAP, which governs only Punjab, suffered a major setback in Delhi, winning just 22 of 70 seats, while both Kejriwal and senior leader Manish Sisodia lost their constituencies.
Kejriwal has summoned AAP’s Punjab MLAs and ministers for a meeting in Delhi on February 11, fueling speculation that he may tighten control over the Punjab government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has canceled the Cabinet meeting scheduled for February 10, rescheduling it for February 13. In recent developments, several of his close aides have been sidelined or removed from their positions. Party insiders note that media coverage of the Chief Minister is not as extensive as it was in the early years of his tenure. Whether the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) acknowledges it or not, there is a clear demarcation in decision-making authority within the Punjab government. According to insiders, Bhagwant Mann wields less power, with much of it already consolidated by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. This perception is not limited to political circles; even within the bureaucracy, there is a growing belief that Kejriwal and other senior party leaders may seek to micromanage Punjab’s affairs, especially after the party’s heightened electoral stakes following Saturday’s results.
In the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, AAP won a landslide victory, securing 92 of 117 seats. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party managed just three seats, while Congress won seven. The November 2024 bypolls provided some relief, with AAP winning three of four seats, reclaiming former Congress strongholds. Despite these wins, political uncertainty looms large over AAP in Punjab, with growing concerns about Kejriwal’s leadership, Mann’s diminishing authority, and increasing opposition pressure.
Opposition parties allege Kejriwal could go as far as replacing Mann as Chief Minister. The situation has created unease within AAP ranks, particularly after reports that several of Mann’s close aides have been sidelined or removed from key positions. Sources within the party suggest that Mann’s authority has been significantly curtailed, with Kejriwal and his aides micromanaging Punjab’s administration. Political analysts believe Kejriwal will now focus more on Punjab, the party’s only remaining power base.
Adding to the speculation, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora’s recent remark that a Hindu could also become the state’s chief minister has triggered discussions on a potential leadership change. Arora denied being in contention for the top post but urged parties to move beyond religion-based leadership choices.
AAP’s decline in Delhi has emboldened its rivals in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused Kejriwal of attempting to remove Mann, alleging he is coercing Punjab MLAs to support him as CM. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claimed over 30 AAP MLAs were in contact with Congress and predicted a split in the party, similar to Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde-led revolt. BJP leaders, including Tarun Chugh and Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, declared that AAP was now a “headless wonder” and vowed to dislodge it from Punjab. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravneet Bittu dismissed claims that BJP was attempting to poach AAP MLAs, saying, “Even if they come, we will not accept them.”
Congress Punjab chief Raja Warring said his party would aggressively expose AAP’s failures, predicting further defections in its ranks. However, AAP leaders Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Malwinder Singh Kang denied any rift, dismissing Congress’s claims as baseless allegations.
