AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday met legislators from Punjab and put speculation about a change in guard in Punjab to rest asserting that Bhagwant Mann will continue as CM, sources in the party said. Kejriwal had summoned a meeting of the party’s Punjab leadership, including CM Mann, Cabinet members, MPs and MLAs, after the AAP’s loss in the Delhi polls. After the meeting, Mann said there was no truth to reports about a rift within the party. “The meeting was called to put rumours about Mann being replaced as chief minister to rest. Kejriwal ji told those present in the meeting that there was no such plan and that the party has to ensure that Punjab becomes a model for development across the country,” a party official said. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mann said, “AAP national convenor met all legislators from Punjab. We worked on the ground in Delhi, and he wanted to thank everyone. In Punjab, we have a government that works for the good of the people in the fields of power, education, infrastructure development and hospitals. We are working and we have to speed it up.” Responding to Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa’s statement that 30 AAP legislators from Punjab are in touch with the opposition party, Mann said, “He has been saying this for nearly three years. he should look at the performance of his party in Delhi again, for the third time.” Congress has not won a single seat in Delhi polls since 2015. Asked about the speculation that the CM in Punjab will be changed, Mann said, “Let them say what they want to.” Sources also said Kejriwal told the legislators that winning the 2027 elections in Punjab is of utmost importance to AAP as he requested them to work among the people. “He told us that we should be amid the people, learn about their aspirations and come true to them. Kejriwal told us that it is of utmost importance that we win the Punjab Assembly elections in 2027. He said if we feel there is something that needs to be done for the state, we should discuss it with him,” said a source privy to the meeting. He added, “Kejriwal also told us he will spend a major part of this time helping Punjab. He told us to get the work done by the officers. If they will not listen to us, we should bring it to his notice.” Sources indicated that in the coming days former Delhi ministers including Manish Sisodia and Satyender Jain would be guiding Punjab’s department of education and health to “speed up projects of schools and Aam Aadmi clinics.” “This is handholding, and should not be seen as interference from Delhi. The Delhi leaders will act as mentors,” said a source adding that in the meeting, a message was also sent across to Punjab leadership to remain accessible to volunteers. Mann said that they respect the mandate of the people of Delhi. “The Delhi team was here as well. We have decided that we will make Punjab a model that can be presented to the whole country. The people of Punjab have been at the forefront of several national struggles. The first MPs elected from AAP were from Punjab. we have risen from the ground up. Let Congress say what it wants to,” he said.
