Missing in action: Kejriwal, Sisodia, Jain under fire in flood-hit Punjab
Oppn is pointing out how the three leaders, who have been camping in Punjab since their defeat in Delhi, have suddenly disappeared
4 min read
Army personnel during a rescue and evacuation operation at a flood-affected village, in Kapurthala district, Punjab (Photo/PTI)As Punjab reels under devastating floods, the absence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who was very active in the state until recently, and state co-in-charges Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain has sparked sharp criticism. The trio, who play a key role in steering AAP’s political strategy, has been conspicuously missing from the flood-hit areas.
Former AAP spokesperson Iqbal Singh, who recently quit the party to join the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after accusing Delhi leaders of “interference,” slammed their absence.
“These leaders just wanted to rob the state. They formulate policies for Punjab, but now, when the state is in deep crisis, they are missing in action,” Singh said. “Kejriwal has been talking about cotton because they are eyeing Gujarat. Has he written a letter to the Prime Minister for flood relief? They haven’t even issued a statement to console the people of Punjab.”
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also targeted the Delhi leadership.
“I want to ask CM Mann where Kejriwal and his cronies are in this difficult time for Punjab. Mann asked people in 2022 to give Kejriwal a chance. People gave AAP 92 MLAs. He uses our helicopter. Billboards with his photos are everywhere, funded by Punjab’s exchequer. As many as 200 Punjab Police personnel are deployed at his house in Delhi. Where is he now?” Badal said.
Sources in AAP revealed that Sisodia and Jain, who share the charge of Punjab, are currently busy organizing a major party rally in Gujarat on September 7. Kejriwal, who has made frequent visits to Punjab this year to strengthen AAP’s organization ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, has also not visited the flood-hit zones despite his active involvement in state affairs.
Punjab BJP spokesperson Vineet Joshi said, “The Delhi AAP leaders have been camping in Punjab ever since their humiliating defeat to the BJP. Now, when the people of Punjab are in distress, they are missing. Where are they now? They think no one is watching,” he said.
Both Sisodia and Jain continue to occupy government accommodations meant for ministers in Chandigarh, with party leaders dismissing criticism by asserting that it is their right as co-incharges of Punjab.
Kejriwal is known for camping at Vikas Bhawan guest house in Mohali during his visits. The building, which houses Punjab’s rural development and panchayat department, has been closed to the public since June for security reasons, though earlier it was available for booking at ₹1,200 per day.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, representing flood-hit Gurdaspur, alleged that the Delhi leaders are avoiding Punjab fearing public backlash.
“People know their reality. Let them face what they have done to the state,” he said. Randhawa also criticized CM Mann, calling Punjab’s AAP unit “remote-controlled” by Delhi.
“We have a CM who has handed over the state to them on a platter. He came on a whirlwind tour, left his chopper for flood relief, but ration packets dropped from the chopper fell into water because the pilots were untrained,” he added.
AAP state president and Cabinet minister Aman Arora hit back at the criticism.
“When Delhi leaders come to Punjab, the Opposition has a problem. When they don’t come, they still have a problem. I want to ask the Congress if Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, or Rahul Gandhi have visited Punjab during the floods. Where is BJP’s JP Nadda? The AAP government is working hard to handle the crisis. From the CM to ministers, MLAs, district presidents, everyone is on the ground helping people,” he said.
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg also defended the party, saying, “All leaders are working as per their assignments. Some are working in the background, while the government is at the forefront helping flood victims.”
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