Though, Vidhan Sabha election in Punjab is two years away in February 2027, and AAP has comfortable majority in the House, latest developments are serious concern for the ruling establishment. Challenges before AAP have just been piling up, both in governance and politics. Though, AAP leadership in Punjab is taking all precautions, it clearly needs to keep its flock and support base together, especially in the backdrop of rumours that AAP in Punjab is heading for split.

Punjab Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa stirred up politics in the state by claiming on February 24, that 32 MLAs of AAP, including ministers, are in his touch who are expressing interest in switching sides. Even though it happens, AAP government will not fall, since AAP has 94 MLAs now in 117 member Punjab Vidhan Sabha, while Congress has only 15 MLAs. However, it is of course a serious concern within AAP on account of infighting in the party.

AAP state president Aman Arora has sharply reacted to the Bajwa’s statement and alleged that he was trying to make an “advance booking” to join BJP. Pat came the counter statement from Bajwa, who is the leader of the opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, that chief minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann himself was in touch with the BJP. Bajwa said that whenever AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal would decide to remove Mann, he would join the BJP.

Bajwa has denied the allegation that Congress is trying to topple the AAP government in Punjab. “We earlier said the Congress has no intention to topple this government. But I can confirm that 32 MLAs and even ministers are in touch with me.” Punjab AAP president Aman Arora knows this too, he said.

What is happening in Punjab must be a serious political matter for the AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal who has been meeting the party leaders from Punjab, especially after defeat in Delhi. Kejriwal is concentrating in Punjab politics, and the party has nominated Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora on February 26 for Ludhiana West Assembly Constituency by-poll. One Rajya Sabha seat is being vacated, presumably for Arvind Kejriwal to enter in the Parliament. Ludhiana West seat has been vacant after death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi on January 11. Kejriwal has lost his seat in Delhi elections from New Delhi seat.

Now back in Delhi, AAP has raised the issue of removing of portraits of Dr B R Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the newly crowned Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office. The replacements were done by PM Narendra Modi’s and President Draupadi Murmu’s pictures. The issue raised by AAP led to ruckus in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha and expulsion of 12 AAP MLAs for the day on February 25. Former chief minister and AAP leader Atishi in Delhi criticized the BJP for showing disrespect to Dr B R Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

February 25 was the second day of the first session of the 8thDelhi Vidhan Sabha, and it was the last day of the two-day session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a censure motion condemning the “removal” of Dr B R Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s portraits from the government offices of Delhi ministers after BJP assumed power in the National Capital Territory Delhi. AAP leaders said that it was the true colour of BJP.

Dalit population in Punjab is about 32 per cent, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s honour is a very sensitive issue among people in general in the state. AAP has tried its best to keep its support base by the latest Vidhan Sabha resolution.

It was only recently on February 12, just after four days of election results in Delhi, BJP has declared Ravidas Jayanti a holiday as against earlier restricted holiday. BJP did this to win over Dalits, after being encouraged by winning 4 of 12 SC seats in Delhi. This Dalit Saint’s verses are also included in Guru Granth Sahib, and BJP hoped to make inroads in Punjab. AAP has now exposed how BJP was against Dalits and Punjabis through the Vidhan Sabha resolution. AAP also exposed BJP on removing great freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s portrait while falsely claiming of nationalism.

Sajjan Kumar’s conviction has also put Congress defensive. BJP is taking credit for conviction, and SAD seeking explanation from the Congress. Though it is disadvantage Congress, AAP will have to remain extra alert for and keep its flock together and will have to go some extra miles to keep its support base intact.

Congress leader Bajwa has slammed AAP led government for not bringing resolution to confer Bharat Ratna to the only former Sikh Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. By doing this Congress is trying to project AAP as anti-Sikh party. "The AAP government should have put aside party politics to stand for the honour of the son of Punjab. Yet, it failed to do so, which is highly deplorable," he said.

Apart from political challenges, AAP government in Punjab has also facing several challenges in governance. They need to keep Punjab farmers on their side. It is precisely for this reason that AAP has got a resolution passed in the Assembly on February 25 that rejected the Centre’s draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, calling it an attempt to bring back the three controversial farm laws repealed by the Centre in 2021. However, the farmers agitation has put the governance in Punjab in very difficult situations to deal with. While giving conditional support to the resolution Congress leader of opposition Bajwa has also accused the BJP of being “anti-Punjab” both “economically and politically”. “The BJP only serves the interest of multinational companies and big corporations and is least bothered about working for the interests of farmers and other unprivileged sections.”

Ruling AAP in Punjab has other challenges relating to governance, especially on law and order issue, and rising extremist trends in the state. AAP will have to stand united to ward off multiple challenges and deliver the poll promises made in 2022 election on development of the state and welfare of the people. It holds the key for the future of AAP. (IPA Service)