Chandigarh, May 11
Ahead of Punjab’s upcoming civic elections, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cousin, Gyan Singh Mann, joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of senior party leaders, intensifying political discussions in the state months before the Assembly elections. Gyan Singh Mann joined the BJP in the presence of Sunil Jakhar and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The development is being seen as politically significant for the Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party, which has faced criticism from opposition parties and internal challenges in recent months.
After joining the BJP, Gyan Singh Mann thanked Nayab Singh Saini and Sunil Jakhar for introducing him into the party. He said he had joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014 but felt the party had changed after coming to power in Punjab in 2022. He alleged that the party had moved away from representing ordinary people and claimed Punjab was witnessing increasing corruption, unemployment, and drug-related issues. He also questioned the selection of Rajya Sabha members from Punjab, alleging that party workers were sidelined.
While describing Bhagwant Mann as like a brother personally, Gyan Singh Mann said he decided to leave the AAP because leaders from Delhi were allegedly controlling the Punjab government. He further claimed that only the BJP could safeguard Punjab’s interests. Gyan Singh Mann has earlier publicly criticized the functioning of the Punjab government and remained vocal on several state-related issues. During the floods in Punjab, he had questioned the government’s handling of the situation and alleged that administrative failures worsened public hardship.
He has also expressed views on policy matters through social media posts and public remarks, often taking positions that differ from those of the state government. Political observers believe Gyan Singh Mann’s decision to join the BJP could provide the opposition with fresh political ammunition against the AAP government ahead of upcoming elections in Punjab.
