Amid AAP’s Delhi Debacle, Kejriwal to Meet Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, MLAs Amid Rift Speculation

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a dig at the Congress on Tuesday, rejecting party leader Partap Singh Bajwa’s claim that around 30 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs in Punjab were in contact with him, suggesting a potential defection.

“Bajwa has been making the same claim for the past three years, and he can keep repeating it. He keeps saying that 30-40 MLAs were switching to Congress… I would ask Pratap Singh Bajwa to count how many MLAs they have in Delhi,” Mann quipped.

AAP Leadership Meets Amidst Delhi Election Defeat

Mann’s comments came after a meeting with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal at Kapurthala House, attended by all 91 Punjab AAP MLAs and key party figures, including Manish Sisodia, who lost his Jangpura Assembly seat to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in the February 5 Delhi elections.

Following the meeting, Mann told reporters that Kejriwal and Sisodia had expressed gratitude to Punjab’s AAP unit for their contributions to the Delhi campaign.

“The AAP government in Punjab is focusing on infrastructure development and reducing the burden of tolls in the state. We have to accelerate our work. The progress made by AAP in Delhi was unprecedented in the past 75 years. Victory and defeat are part of politics,” he stated.

AAP’s Vision for Punjab

Mann emphasized that AAP would use the lessons from Delhi to strengthen governance in Punjab.

“We will work together. Our party is known for its work. It was decided in today’s meeting that in the next two years, we will make Punjab a model state for the nation to admire. Punjab has always been at the forefront in all struggles,” he asserted.

Congress’s Allegations Against Mann

A day before the Delhi election results were announced, Bajwa alleged that Bhagwant Mann could join the BJP as he was in contact with the Union Home Ministry.

“Whenever this Maharashtra plane lands in Chandigarh, the first passenger who will become Eknath Shinde would be Bhagwant Mann,” Bajwa remarked in an interview with India Today’s Rahul Kanwal.

He also speculated that Kejriwal might contest from Ludhiana and join Punjab’s government.

AAP Denies Leadership Change in Punjab

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema dismissed rumors of a leadership change, affirming that the party remained united.

“This is merely an attempt by the Opposition to create panic. The next Punjab Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Thursday,” he confirmed.

AAP MP Malvinder Kang reiterated that such meetings were routine. “To enhance party functioning and analyze electoral performance, Arvind Kejriwal consistently provides guidance. AAP is committed to governance under Bhagwant Mann in Punjab and Kejriwal at the national level,” he added.

BJP’s Accusations Against Kejriwal

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that Kejriwal was attempting to replace Mann as Punjab’s Chief Minister. He claimed that Kejriwal was branding Mann “incompetent” after AAP’s crushing defeat in Delhi.

“After losing the Delhi elections, Arvind Kejriwal has summoned Punjab MLAs to Delhi. Reports suggest he is trying to remove @BhagwantMann Ji from the CM post by portraying him as incompetent. He failed to fulfill his promises of providing Rs 1,000 to women, controlling drug abuse, and improving Punjab’s condition. Now, he wants to shift the blame to Bhagwant Mann,” Sirsa alleged.

When asked about these claims, Mann merely smiled and responded, “Let them say what they want.” He reaffirmed that his government would fulfill its commitment to providing Rs 1,000 per month to women.

Mann’s Response to Bajwa’s Claims

Mann dismissed Bajwa’s statements about AAP MLAs defecting, mocking the Congress for its repeated failure in Delhi.

“Bajwa has been saying this for nearly three years. Ask him to count the number of (Congress) MLAs in Delhi for the third time,” he remarked.

He also ridiculed Congress leaders for celebrating AAP’s defeat, recalling how one leader was seen beating a drum despite Congress’s poor performance in Delhi.

“They have a culture of switching sides… One of their leaders was celebrating our defeat while their own party got zero seats,” Mann added.

AAP’s Future Plans in Punjab

Mann outlined AAP’s roadmap for Punjab, stating that the party would continue its focus on governance and welfare programs. “We acknowledge the people’s mandate in Delhi, and now, we will make Punjab a model state,” he emphasized.

AAP MLA Ashok Prashar also dismissed rumors of internal discord, asserting that there was no change in Punjab’s leadership.

“In today’s meeting, Kejriwal advised us to strengthen the party in Punjab. There will be no leadership change,” he stated.

Responding to Congress’s claims about defections, Prashar quipped, “Congress should worry about its own MLAs. What if the few they have decide to join us?”

Currently, Punjab remains the only state where AAP is in power. With the Delhi setback, the party is now gearing up for its next major electoral challenge—the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.