Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday met his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal at Tihar Jail — their first meeting since the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results on June 4.
The AAP, despite its all-out efforts, managed to secure only three out of 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab, improving its vote share to 26.02 percent from 7.38 percent in 2019. However, in comparison to its resounding victory in 2022 state assembly polls, AAP's performance witnessed a significant decline, managing to win only three seats and experiencing a 16 percent drop in its vote share — from 42.01 percent in 2022 to 26.02 percent in 2024.
Kejriwal remains incarcerated due to an excise policy-linked money laundering case. Despite his imprisonment, AAP supremo’s influence continues to guide the party's strategic decisions. During the meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes, Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP’s organizational secretary Sandeep Pathak were also present.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes amidst rumours of a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Punjab following the party’s disappointing performance in the general elections. However, AAP’s Punjab general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat on Wednesday dismissed these rumours, while insisting that the party believed in stability and continuity.
“There are rumours circulating that AAP in Punjab is going to reshuffle their ministers in response to recent loss in the general elections. We'd like to clarify that this information is false and is not coming from an official source,” said Barsat.
During the Lok Sabha elections, AAP’s Mission 13-0 to secure all 13 seats in Punjab fell short, with only victories in Hoshiarpur, Anandpur Sahib, and Sangrur. The party faced significant losses as four out of five ministers and three MLAs who contested the elections were defeated.
Notably, Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer won the Sangrur seat, necessitating his resignation from the State Cabinet. Despite the setbacks, the party remained focused on its agenda and strategy for upcoming challenges, including the bypoll to the Jalandhar West assembly segment scheduled for July 10.
Chief Minister Mann has been proactive in addressing the electoral defeat — holding meetings with legislators, leaders, and Lok Sabha candidates from various constituencies to analyze the losses and plan future strategies. Dr Sandeep Pathak has also met with party MLAs in Chandigarh to discuss the way forward.
In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AAP's performance in Punjab, although improved from previous years, still lagged behind expectations, with the Congress emerging victorious in seven out of the 13 seats, surpassing AAP in both seat count and vote share.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet composition in Punjab is also under scrutiny. With the State allowed a maximum of 17 Ministers, there are currently 15 ministers alongside the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The resignation of Meet Hayer will open another ministerial position, adding to the speculations about potential changes in the Cabinet.
The upcoming bypoll in Jalandhar West is another critical focus for AAP. The seat became vacant following the resignation of AAP MLA Sheetal Angural, who has already shifted loyalties towards the BJP. The party is gearing up for a fierce contest in the bypoll, which is seen as a litmus test for AAP’s strategies and organizational strength post the Lok Sabha elections.
In the midst of these political maneuvers, CM Mann's meeting with Kejriwal at Tihar Jail has further fueled discussions about the party’s future course of action. With the shadow of a potential Cabinet reshuffle and the need to address the electoral setbacks, AAP’s leadership is evidently working on recalibrating its strategies to regain its political momentum in Punjab.
