After Delhi setback, Arvind Kejriwal to meet Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, AAP MLAs today amid tension

Arvind Kejriwal will meet Punjab's Bhagwant Mann and AAP MLAs to address internal discord and strategise post-Delhi election loss.

Updated on: Feb 11, 2025, 12:31:00 IST

By HT News Desk

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Days after a massive loss in the Delhi assembly election, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is all set to meet Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, state ministers and part MLAs in Delhi on Tuesday.

In the 2022 Punjab election, the AAP had secured a landslide victory by winning 92 of 117 seats. (File Image/X/@AamAadmiParty)

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the speculation of intensified internal dissent in the party's Punjab unit. AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang, however, downplayed the situation and said Tuesday's meeting was a "routine strategy session".

"A party is a continuous process. Feedback from all units are taken to shape its future strategies. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann along with AAP MLAs will meet Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the way forward," he said.

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The discussion at the meeting will focus on analysing the Delhi election results and preparing strategies for the Punjab assembly poll which are due in 2027, news agency PTI reported, citing party sources.

AAP's decade-long rule in the national capital was brought to an end by the Bharatiya Janata Party on February 8, the saffron party winning 48 seats in the 70-member assembly, while the Arvind Kejriwal-led party secured just 22 seats.

Notably, speculation is rife that dissatisfaction has brought dismay within the AAP's Punjab unit, with some MLAs reportedly unhappy with the party's leadership and possibly considering other options.

In the 2022 assembly election in Punjab, the AAP achieved a landslide victory by grabbing 92 of 117 seats. However, recent developments have led to questions being raised over internal rift. Some have even suggested that AAP's leadership in Delhi still exerts major influence over Punjab's governance.

ALSO READ | Arvind Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal’, liquor scam: Double whammy that sunk AAP in Delhi election

There has also been speculation that Kejriwal is considering a more direct role in the Punjab politics circuit now, a PTI report mentioned.

As Ludhiana's assembly seat is currently vacant, there are also discussions ongoing about the possibility of Kejriwal contesting from there and becoming a part of the Punjab government.

In the Delhi election, Kejriwal was swept out by BJP's Parvesh Verma from the New Delhi assembly constituency.

Some opposition leaders, have notably, predicting a similar "downfall" for the AAP in Punjab amid the recent defeat in Delhi.

Now, Punjab is the only state where the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in power, increasing the significance of Tuesday's meeting.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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