New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal will meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his minister and party MLAs on Tuesday in Delhi amid the speculations of tension building among cadres following the crushing defeat in the Delhi assembly elections.
However, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang downplayed reports of dissent, describing Tuesday’s meeting as a “routine strategy session.”
He said a party is a “continuous process” and that feedback is sought from all units to form future strategies for which Kejriwal will meet Mann and Punjab MLAs to discuss the war forward.
Reflecting on Delhi loss and strategy for 2027 Punjab polls
According to PTI, the discussions will focus on analysing the Delhi election results and strategising for the Punjab polls scheduled for 2027. AAP, which had governed Delhi for a decade, suffered a significant setback in the 5 February elections, winning only 22 of the 70 seats.
The BJP’s victory with 48 seats ended AAP’s rule in the capital, raising concerns about the party’s electoral prospects elsewhere.
Today’s meeting has gained significance amid reports of dissatisfaction within AAP’s Punjab unit. Speculation is rife that some MLAs are unhappy with the party’s leadership and may be considering other options.
AAP secured a landslide victory in Punjab in 2022, winning 92 of the 117 seats. However, recent developments have raised questions about internal cohesion, with some suggesting that the party’s leadership in Delhi continues to exert significant influence over Punjab’s governance.
Kejriwal seeking active role in Punjab politics
There is also speculation that Kejriwal may take a more direct role in Punjab politics. With Ludhiana’s assembly seat currently vacant, political observers are discussing the possibility of him contesting from there and joining the Punjab government.
The AAP chief lost the assembly elections to BJP’s Parvesh Verma from New Delhi. The defeat in Delhi has been a major setback for AAP, with some opposition leaders predicting a similar “downfall” for the party in Punjab, where only three of its 13 candidates won in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
With Punjab now the only state where AAP remains in power, the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting could be crucial for the party’s future direction and stability.
