After Delhi drubbing, AAP's Kejriwal meets Punjab CM, party leaders

Days after drubbing in Delhi assembly polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Feb 11 held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, ministers, and party MLAs in Delhi.

The move is not only seen as aimed at insulating the AAP government but also termed by rivals as "preparation" for the removal of Mann from the top post.

Although AAP termed it an "organizational meeting" for feedback and acknowledging work done by Mann and Punjab MLAs in Delhi polls, the move intensified speculation about unrest in the party over its failure to deliver its poll promises and growing tensions between Kejriwal and Mann.

Mann arrived at the Kapoorthala House in Delhi to meet the former Delhi CM. In the meeting, Kejriwal, along with Mann and MLAs, discussed the Delhi Assembly election results.

After the meeting, Mann told reporters that the Punjab government has been working in favor of the people and would continue to do so.

He said that huge investment is coming to Punjab and the government will make Punjab the best development model in the country.

He dismissed speculation of internal discord within the AAP, stating that "all is well" in the party.

"The AAP government in Punjab has always worked for the public welfare whether it’s in education or infrastructure sectors," he said.

"The government needs to speed up. Winning and losing is a part of the game. People of Delhi still remember us as someone who worked for them." he added.

Mann claimed that many in the capital still believe AAP has done more in the last decade than any government in 75 years.

He added that the party will be in power in Punjab for two more years and will work to make the state a good model for AAP's governance.

"We will use Delhi's experience in Punjab. We will work together. Our party is known for its work. In today's meeting, it was decided that in the coming two years, we will make Punjab a model that the whole nation will look up to... Punjab has always been forefront in all the fights."

Regarding the Delhi polls, he said that Kejriwal thanked the MLAs for actively campaigning in favor of the party and that winning-losing is part of the electoral politics.

Notably, Mann, who was the party's star campaigner, took out roadshows in Delhi to showcase his government's works to seek votes for the AAP candidates.

The defeat in Delhi has come as a major setback for the AAP with the opposition leaders predicting a similar "downfall" for the party in Punjab, where just three of its 13 nominees won the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Regarding the AAP meeting, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "Now Arvind Kejriwal wants to become the Chief Minister of Punjab...he is holding meetings. Till now he was not concerned about Punjab, he did not even fulfill the promises made to the people."

The meeting comes two days after the AAP’s rout in Delhi, where the BJP is set to form the government after a gap of more than 26 years. While the BJP won 48 seats in the 70-member House, the AAP secured 22, and the Congress drew a blank in the polls held on February 5.

Stirring the pot, BJP's Tarun Chugh claimed "countdown for Mann's government has started", while party MLA Majinder Sirsa cautioned the CM on "plans afoot to remove him".

AAP’s 30 MLAs in touch: Congress leader

Congress talked about the imminent prospect of mid-term polls in Punjab.

"More than 30 AAP MLAs in Punjab are in touch with us," said the leader of the opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, while Congress MP from Gurdaspur Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa predicted mid-term polls.

"It depends on how many AAP MLAs switch sides. Congress is the only option for AAP MLAs as BJP has no future in the state," he said.

AAP senior spokesperson Neel Garg, however, accused Sirsa of "rumor-mongering" to please BJP leadership as he was in the race for Delhi CM's post. "Mann is leading a stable AAP government in Punjab and Sirsa should now worry about delivering BJP's pre-poll promises in Delhi," he said.

"Bajwa is dreaming impossible dreams - just like 'Mungerilal'. Even his brother (Fatehjang Bajwa) joined BJP," AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang said, downplaying speculation on dissent within AAP & calling Kejriwal's meeting with Punjab MLAs a "routine strategy session".

After Kejriwal called the meeting, the Punjab government on Feb 10 postponed a cabinet meeting which had to be held after nearly 5 months to decide dates for the state budget session.

"Delhi got rid of 'AAP-da' and now Punjab also want to get rid of it. Mann government has failed to tackle the liquor, sand, and mining mafia," BJP national general secretary Chugh said.

Political circles were also surprised by the move because of both the timing and the optics. Mann, ministers, and MLAs of Punjab being called to Delhi is a throwback to days when the all-powerful "high command" could dispense with niceties and need to be sensitive to regional sentiments.

Congress Punjab in-charge Devender 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."