Kejriwal puts chatter to rest: Mann to remain Punjab CM

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.

Written by: Kanchan Vasdev, Mallica Joshi

4 min readChandigarh, New DelhiUpdated: Feb 12, 2025 04:33 AM IST

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CM Bhagwant Mann along with other AAP MLAs comes out after meeting Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, Tuesday. PTI

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.”

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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.

Kanchan Vasdev

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. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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