‘Count Your MLAs In Delhi’ Bhagwant Mann Challenges Congress Exodus Claim

In a sharp retort to the Congress party, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dismissed claims of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA exodus to Congress. During a press conference following a meeting with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Mann humorously questioned the Congress’s influence by challenging them to count their MLAs in Delhi.

Partap Singh Bajwa, a prominent Congress leader, had suggested that about 30 AAP MLAs from Punjab were in touch with him, hinting at a potential shift in allegiances. Mann, however, responded with skepticism, “Bajwa has been making the same claim for the past three years… I would ask Pratap Singh Bajwa to count how many MLAs they have in Delhi.” This quip not only deflects the accusations but also highlights the Congress’s diminished presence in Delhi’s assembly.

The AAP’s recent defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections has put its Punjab unit under scrutiny, especially with Punjab being the only state where AAP holds power. The meeting at Kapurthala House, attended by all 91 Punjab AAP MLAs, was a strategic session to regroup and plan ahead. Mann emphasized that the focus is now on strengthening Punjab’s infrastructure and reducing toll burdens, using Delhi’s governance model as a blueprint.

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Mann articulated a vision for Punjab, aiming to make it a model state within two years. He stressed on the party’s commitment to work and unity, “Punjab has always been forefront in all fights.” This statement underscores AAP’s intention to leverage its experience from Delhi to enhance governance in Punjab, despite political challenges.

Amidst speculations of a leadership shuffle due to the electoral setback, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MP Malvinder Kang both confirmed the party’s cohesion and dismissed any talk of leadership changes. They described the meeting as routine, aimed at analyzing performance and improving party operations, reinforcing their commitment under Mann’s leadership in Punjab and Kejriwal’s at the national level.

With Punjab’s next assembly elections in 2027, AAP’s performance in Delhi has undoubtedly set a benchmark for the party’s next moves. The AAP’s sweeping victory in Punjab in 2022, where it clinched 92 out of 117 seats, remains a high point, but the party is now focused on maintaining and expanding its influence.

Bhagwant Mann’s challenge to the Congress and his reaffirmation of AAP’s united front post-Delhi elections is a clear signal of the party’s intent to consolidate its power in Punjab. As political narratives continue to evolve, all eyes will be on how AAP navigates these turbulent waters in the run-up to 2027.

This political exchange not only highlights the ongoing rivalry between AAP and Congress but also sets the stage for an interesting phase of governance and politics in Punjab.