The ruling AAP members Friday termed the amphibious ATOR vehicle, used in floods in Punjab, as ‘bambookat’ — a Punjabi word for motorcycle, derived from bamboo cart — as they took digs at Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa for having taken one to flood affected areas.
Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said Bajwa used it for a photo-op, sparking an immediate reaction from LoP, who asked Dhaliwal if he had carried him on his shoulders to the flood affected areas.
Later, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema too poked fun at Bajwa, who then said that the vehicle was used to reach the victims of floods. The vehicle, he said, “being called bambookat” was also put to use by the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar who had deployed four of these vehicles that were used by the leaders and officers alike,” Bajwa said.
This did not end there. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann too took a dig at Bajwa saying some leaders found an opportunity in the floods to climb up a ‘Jonga.’
‘INVISIBLE’ KRISHAN KUMAR
Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar remained on the hit list of LoP Bajwa and Congress member Barindermeet Singh Pahda.
While Bajwa demanded suspension of Kumar for floods in the state, Pahda asked why no action was taken against him. Bajwa could not see Kumar in the officers’ gallery in the House as he was seated in the last row and raised questions on his absence even as the Vidhan Sabha was discussing floods.
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The seating arrangements in the officers’ gallery are such that the first four rows of chairs are in a box on raised platform, which is at least three feet higher than the last row. Senior officers usually sit in the first four rows. Those seated on the last row are often not visible from the floor of the House.
It was probably due to this that CM Mann came to Kumar’s rescue. He told the Opposition, “You should not demoralise the hardworking officers. It is better that you launch your attack on us.”
SUKHPAL KHAIRA MISSING
Congress legislator Sukhpal Khaira was conspicuous by his absence from the Assembly Friday. Khaira has been alleging that he was on the radar of the Punjab Police as the government wanted to arrest him in a case of vendetta.
CM Mann had also said a few days ago that Khaira had gone into hiding. Khaira was, however, active on his social media asking the Speaker to introduce his private member’s Bill to protect the identity, language, culture and turban of Punjab.
SILENCE OF AMAN ARORA
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Aam Aadmi Party state president Aman Arora, often dubbed as a man of many words, was conspicuous by his silence in the Vidhan Sabha. Arora did not even utter a single word on the mic despite attending the session throughout the day.
While the ruling party got three hours to speak on the ‘Rehabilitation of Punjab’ resolution, Arora did not speak on it. Arora was recently in news for his vehicle not being allowed to enter CM’s official residence during a Cabinet meeting when Mann was in the hospital.
Arora had a heated argument with Chief Secretary KAP Sinha the same day for his vehicle not being allowed inside.
GUFFAWS GALORE
It was a day of guffaws when CM Mann, flanked by Aman Arora on one side and independent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh on the other, on the bench of the Leader of the House, were seen sharing laughter at a joke.
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The trio was on the same bench, as the House was adjourned for 20 minutes. Rana Inder Partap is son of Congress member Rana Gurjit Singh. LoP Partap Bajwa and Rana Gurjit were also seen laughing their hearts out when AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal had started speaking on the floods.
Dhaliwal was earlier considered close to Bajwa before he had switched to AAP. Dhaliwal was earlier with the Congress.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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