aap in punjab

Punjab's ruling AAP secured a significant victory in municipal polls, winning 5 out of 8 municipal corporations and over 950 wards. This win, with assembly elections approaching, is attributed by CM Bhagwant Mann to the government's welfare schemes. Congress and SAD trailed significantly, while independents emerged as a notable force.

Mamata Banerjee, calling herself a 'free bird,' refuses to resign, alleging vote looting by BJP and EC. Raghav Chadha met President Murmu, claiming he's the AAP-led Punjab government's next target for switching parties. The US sank Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz amid UAE attacks. Kejriwal accused BJP of 'murdering democracy' after poll wins.

Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha accused the AAP-led Punjab government of using state machinery for political vendetta against MPs who joined the BJP. He alleged selective targeting through various agencies, presenting these concerns to the President. Another rebel MP, Sandeep Pathak, stated they sought constitutional safeguards from the President, who assured protection.

Raghav Chadha accused the AAP-led Punjab government of a "dirty game of vendetta" against defectors joining the BJP, fearing fabricated cases. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann countered, stating no one is above the law and that joining the BJP won't grant immunity. Mann assured the President that legal processes would proceed against those facing allegations.

Party Looks To Stay On The Up In UP, Get Upper Hand In Punjab

The political arena heats up as Congress voices its discontent over AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees, branding them as elitists with an impressive average net worth of Rs 818 crore. Ajay Maken argues that AAP functions as a puppet for the BJP, orchestrated to disrupt Congress's support in upcoming state elections.

As AAP now grapples with defections to the BJP, this extract of a journalist revisits an earlier moment of unease — when Raghav Chadha’s absence during Kejriwal’s arrest first raised questions about his role, relevance, and position within the party

The AAP, as expected, reacted very strongly to this development and accused the BJP of “Operation Lotus”, a term used to define saffron party engineered defections of political rivals. AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were misused to pressure and break away AAP leaders. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of betraying Punjab, which is ruled by AAP and goes to assembly polls next year.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann criticized seven Rajya Sabha MPs who quit AAP, likening them to individual spices that can't make a dish alone. He accused the BJP of destabilizing his government and engineering defections, linking the move to a strict sacrilege law and perceived improvements in Punjab. Mann asserted the defectors lacked any significant vote bank.

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, now with the BJP, revealed she was intimidated and threatened after alleging an assault by an AAP aide at Kejriwal's residence in 2024. She claimed immense pressure to withdraw her FIR, leading to her being sidelined by the party. Maliwal also criticized AAP's governance in Punjab and praised PM Modi's leadership.

Estranged AAP MP Raghav Chadha strongly refuted allegations from the party's Punjab unit that he failed to raise state issues in Parliament. He asserted his commitment to Punjab, highlighting numerous issues he has addressed, including pending funds, agricultural distress, and the drug menace. Chadha dismissed the claims as baseless and motivated, vowing that truth and facts would prevail.