AAP’s Delhi Defeat Triggers Political Upheaval in Punjab as MLAs Meet Kejriwal. Leaders of the Punjab Congress have called out Arvind Kejriwal over his meeting with the Aam Aadmi Party’s state unit MLAs in the national capital following the AAP’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections and hinted that the party would soon separate. To know complete details about the defeat of AAP in Delhi and their meeting in Punjab soon after the defeat, read the full article.
AAP’s Delhi Defeat Triggers Political Upheaval in Punjab as MLAs Meet Kejriwal
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has called Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, ministers and party MLAs to Delhi for deliberations on Tuesday, in a move that was not only seen as aimed at insulting its government but also termed by rivals as “preparation” for the removal of Mann from the top post. Even though AAP termed it an “organizational meeting'” for feedback and acknowledging work done by Mann and Punjab MLAs in Delhi polls, it intensified speculation about unrest in the party over the failure to deliver its poll promises and growing tensions between Kejriwal and Mann. AAP Punjab politicians will attend along with party members from Delhi.
After the meeting, Mann informed that Kejriwal thanked the MLAs for their work in the Delhi polls. “Our MLAs arrived here for a meeting with the party national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, who expressed his gratitude for their efforts in campaigning during the Delhi Assembly elections,” the chief minister said. They added, “Our government in Punjab has always worked for the public welfare, whether it’s in education or infrastructure sectors. Now, we need to accelerate our efforts. Winning and losing is a part of the game. People of Delhi still remember us as someone who worked for them. We have two more years in Punjab. We will make Punjab a good model to showcase the entire country.”
The Congress MP from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said that although the meeting is an internal affair of the AAP, it still shows the confusion within the party after the Delhi Assembly elections were declared on February 8. He stated, “Calling a meeting so soon shows that the party will break soon. There will be mid-term polls in Punjab. When a party loses, there is a discussion within the state, and MLAs of other states are not called. They are worried that what happened in Delhi may be repeated in Punjab. Many are in touch with Congress over the past several days.”
He also said he raised the issue of terrorism and repeated grenade attacks in Punjab in parliament and stated, “The CM of Punjab did not show courage against the terror acts of Khalistanis. Pakistan is sending in drones with grenades and drugs deep inside Punjab. Why is the BSF, which has a mandate to act up to 50 km from the international border, not doing anything? I have twice written to the home minister for an NIA investigation into the grenade blasts on police establishments close to the Indo-Pak border, but nothing has been done.”
The national general secretary, Chugh, said, “Delhi got rid of AAP-da, and now Punjab wants to get rid of it. The Mann government has failed to handle the liquor, sand, and mining mafia.” The Congress Punjab in-charge, Devendra Yadav, was quoted as saying, “AAP MLAs have been restless over being controlled from Delhi. Now that Kejriwal has lost in Delhi, the unrest is growing. This uncertainty over where the control lies could trigger a split, as a splinter group within AAP MLAs has been taking shape for some time.”
About the Meeting
The sources who are in the party gave a hint that the objective of the meeting included assessing the Delhi election outcome and devising a roadmap for the 2027 Punjab elections. Tuesday’s meeting carries added importance due to reports of unrest within AAP’s Punjab unit, with speculation increasing that some MLAs are not satisfied with the leadership and may find some other options. There is also debate that Kejriwal would think of a more direct role in Punjab politics now. The political observers think that there is a possibility that Kejriwal will compete for the Ludhiana assembly seat that is at present vacant and will try to become a part of the Punjab government.