Punjab MLA’s Outburst Ignites Crisis for AAP Amid Accusations of Delhi’s Overreach and Suppression of Dissent

CHANDIGARH — Recent explosive statements by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra have sent shockwaves through the party’s Punjab unit, amplifying long-held accusations of centralized control from Delhi, the suppression of internal dissent, and gross mismanagement of the state.

Pathanmajra’s core allegation, as reported in the sources, is that all power within the Punjab government is wielded by the party’s leadership in Delhi, rendering the state’s 92 elected AAP MLAs completely powerless. He claims that even the smallest administrative actions, like personnel transfers, must be approved by Delhi, and that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is also unable to act independently, as his command is ultimately tied to Arvind Kejriwal. It is further alleged that most MLAs are forbidden from making public statements without explicit approval, a privilege reserved for a few select ministers or favored members.

These accusations have fueled speculation that Kejriwal, having faced electoral setbacks elsewhere, may have ambitions to take a major position in Punjab, possibly even contesting a seat in the 2027 elections to become Chief Minister himself.

The sources also detail a broader party policy aimed at silencing anyone who speaks out against the leadership, whether they are party insiders or from the opposition. The alleged tactic involves first trying to manage the dissent internally; if that fails, the party is accused of retaliating with raids or legal cases the very next day. The report cites several examples to support this claim:

• The removal of Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from his ministerial post.
• The arrests of opposition leaders like Sukhpal Khaira, social activists Lakha Sidhana and Bhana Sidhu, and the legal pressure applied to Bikram Singh Majithia after they challenged the party.

Beyond internal politics, the AAP government faces serious accusations of misusing state resources and failing to govern effectively. The sources claim Arvind Kejriwal has used Punjab’s money and helicopters for election campaigns in other states, leading to the “looting” of the state treasury without accountability. The government’s achievements are described as being visible only on TV and social media, rather than in the daily lives of citizens. A stark example of this alleged governance failure is the handling of floods. Having reportedly learned nothing from the devastating floods in 2023, the state faced them again, while promises of compensation for the previous disaster remained unfulfilled.

While Pathanmajra’s statements have brought these issues to the forefront, the sources also question his timing and motives. It is noted that his outcry comes after enjoying three and a half years of power, leading some to believe it is a calculated political move to secure a position in another party ahead of the 2027 elections, anticipating that AAP will not be re-elected. Furthermore, the report mentions that Pathanmajra himself has been accused by locals in his constituency of engaging in illegal mining and corruption.

Pathanmajra’s public defiance is being interpreted as the beginning of a larger internal rebellion, with the sources predicting that many more MLAs will become dissidents over the next year and a half.