Key Points:
- Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa claims over 32 AAP MLAs and ministers are in touch with him, hinting at a potential collapse of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government.
- Bajwa alleges Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is in contact with the BJP and could switch sides if removed by AAP leadership.
- AAP Punjab President Aman Arora dismisses Bajwa’s claims, accusing him of planning to join the BJP and spreading baseless rumors.
- The controversy unfolds amid a two-day special session of the Punjab Assembly, with both parties trading sharp accusations.
- Bajwa asserts Congress will not topple the government, while AAP maintains its majority despite the allegations.
Chandigarh: In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Punjab, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa on Monday claimed that more than 32 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in touch with him and considering switching sides. Speaking outside the Punjab Assembly, Bajwa suggested that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself is in talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may align with them if removed by AAP’s national leadership.
The allegations come as the two-day special session of the Punjab Assembly begins, with opposition parties sharpening their attacks on the ruling government. While Bajwa’s claims have stirred speculation about instability in the state government, AAP leaders have dismissed them as baseless and accused Bajwa of plotting his own transition to the BJP.
Bajwa’s Explosive Claims: “32 MLAs Are in Touch”
Pratap Singh Bajwa alleged that dissatisfaction within AAP is growing, with several MLAs and ministers looking for alternatives ahead of the next election. He claimed these legislators believe this may be their last term under AAP and are seeking tickets from other parties.
“Not just MLAs, but even ministers are in touch with me. They know their time is up. I am in contact with 32 of them,” Bajwa said. He further asserted that Congress has no intention of destabilizing the government but hinted that BJP could take advantage of the situation. “The BJP will do it, not us,” he said.
Bajwa also criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for being “absent” on the first day of the Assembly session. “In my 45 years of political experience, I have never made a false statement,” he added.
AAP Responds: “Bajwa Planning to Join BJP”
AAP leaders swiftly countered Bajwa’s allegations. Punjab AAP President Aman Arora accused Bajwa of fabricating stories to gain media attention and alleged that he has already secured his “advance booking” to join the BJP.
“Bajwa ji’s joining BJP is almost certain,” Arora said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Rahul Gandhi should ask him what he was doing in Bengaluru recently and which senior BJP leaders he met there.” Arora also dismissed Bajwa’s claims as “laughable,” pointing out that even if his claim of 32 MLAs switching sides were true, AAP would still retain a majority with 62 seats.
Arora further criticized Bajwa for losing Congress MLAs like Sandeep Jakhar to BJP while making unsubstantiated claims about destabilizing AAP.
Allegations Against CM Mann
Bajwa didn’t stop at targeting AAP MLAs; he also accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of being in secret talks with BJP leaders. According to Bajwa, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu is acting as a “bridge” between Mann and BJP leadership. He alleged that meetings have been facilitated under the guise of protests staged at Mann’s residence.
“When Kejriwal decides to remove him (Mann), he will pack his bags and join BJP,” Bajwa claimed, likening the situation to Maharashtra’s political crisis where Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde defected to BJP.
Congress Denies Plans to Topple Government
Despite his explosive claims, Bajwa maintained that Congress has no intention of toppling the AAP government. “We want them to complete their five-year term so people can see what kind of governance they voted for,” he said. However, he hinted that defections could happen organically due to dissatisfaction within AAP ranks.
Rising Political Tensions Amid Corruption Allegations
The controversy comes at a time when the Mann government is under pressure following allegations of financial irregularities within its administration. Bajwa accused AAP leaders of funneling crores through hawala transactions linked to liquor and land-use changes. He labeled AAP’s much-touted “Delhi Model” as one designed for corruption.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has ramped up its anti-corruption drive by dismissing 52 police officers on graft charges and suspending senior IAS officer Rajesh Tripathi for alleged misconduct.
What This Means for Punjab Politics
The unfolding political drama raises questions about stability within Punjab’s ruling party:
- Potential Defections: If even a fraction of Bajwa’s claims prove true, it could weaken AAP’s standing in Punjab.
- Congress Strategy: While Congress denies plans to destabilize the government, it may benefit politically from internal rifts within AAP.
- BJP’s Role: Allegations of BJP involvement suggest a larger strategy to expand its influence in Punjab ahead of future elections.
- AAP’s Majority: With 94 seats in the Assembly, even significant defections would leave AAP with a comfortable majority unless defections reach unprecedented levels.
Political Storm Brewing
As accusations fly between Congress and AAP, Punjab’s political landscape appears increasingly volatile. While Pratap Singh Bajwa’s claims have sparked speculation about instability within AAP, Aman Arora’s counter-allegations point to potential fractures within Congress itself. For now, both parties remain locked in a war of words as they prepare for high-stakes battles ahead.
The coming months will reveal whether these claims are mere political posturing or indicative of deeper cracks within Punjab’s ruling party a development that could reshape state politics dramatically.
