Kejri-Wall Falls: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann fails to secure a single seat for party in Delhi
PTC Web Desk: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced a humiliating defeat in the Delhi elections, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann failing to secure a single seat for the party despite extensive campaigning. CM Mann campaigned on 12 key seats in Delhi, including those of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. However, all of these constituencies saw AAP candidates losing, dealing a significant blow to the party.
Punjab’s Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that Arvind Kejriwal might consider shifting to Punjab as its Chief Minister. Bajwa referred to a statement made by Punjab AAP chief and minister Aman Arora, in which he suggested that a Hindu leader could also become the Chief Minister of Punjab. Bajwa argued that the focus should be on governance capabilities rather than religious identity.
He further added that the Ludhiana Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi, could potentially be used as a launching pad for Kejriwal in Punjab politics. Bajwa speculated that this move could lead to internal conflicts within AAP, particularly between Bhagwant Mann’s faction and those who support Kejriwal’s leadership in Punjab. However, AAP has not yet issued any official statement regarding these claims.
After its victory in Punjab, AAP had put all its efforts into retaining power in Delhi. Punjab’s AAP leaders, including CM Bhagwant Mann, actively campaigned in Delhi to support Kejriwal. Mann held rallies in key constituencies such as New Delhi, Jangpura, Shakur Basti, Adarsh Nagar, Palam, Janakpuri, Dwarka, Madipur, Rohini, Kasturba Nagar, Vikaspuri, and Vishwas Nagar. However, despite his efforts, AAP lost in all these constituencies.
Similarly, Punjab AAP president and Cabinet minister Aman Arora also campaigned vigorously in Delhi but failed to secure any wins for the party. He focused on Kejriwal’s constituency, New Delhi, as well as Najafgarh, but both seats slipped away from AAP’s hands.
Congress MP from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, predicted that AAP would collapse after its defeat in Delhi. He claimed that Punjab should prepare for midterm elections, as many AAP MLAs are reportedly ready to switch parties. Randhawa further alleged that significant corruption scandals involving AAP would emerge in Punjab, similar to the liquor policy scam that shook Delhi. He also accused AAP of misusing Minimum Support Price (MSP) funds during this year’s paddy procurement.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National president JP Nadda for BJP’s historic victory in Delhi after 27 years. Jakhar urged PM Modi to free Punjab from the grip of AAP’s governance, referring to the party as a “disaster” for the state. He said the people of Punjab are now looking towards the Central Government for a solution to the prevailing law-and-order concerns in the state.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal congratulated the people of Delhi for rejecting AAP, calling the party a “deception” built on lies. He accused Kejriwal and his team of misleading voters in multiple states, including Punjab, and expressed hope that Punjab would soon get rid of AAP. Sukhbir Singh Badal stated that just as AAP had ruined Delhi, it was on the same path in Punjab, and the people must act swiftly to bring about change.
- With inputs from agencies
