The political atmosphere in Punjab has turned tense after Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa claimed that more than 32 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in contact with him.
He hinted that the Bhagwant Mann government may be on shaky ground, suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could eventually bring it down.
Bajwa stated that the Congress has no intention of destabilising the government, but he suspects that the BJP might take steps in that direction.
He also claimed that several ministers and senior AAP leaders are discontented with the current administration. However, he clarified that his party wants AAP to complete its five-year term so that the people of Punjab can fully evaluate its governance.
Accusing AAP of corruption, Bajwa alleged that large sums of money have been sent abroad, including to Australia, through hawala channels.
He said that these funds, derived from liquor and land use changes, reflect the true nature of AAP’s governance model. He went on to call the so-called ‘Delhi Model’ a system designed to facilitate financial misconduct.
AAP has strongly refuted these claims, accusing Bajwa of preparing to switch to the BJP.
Party leader Neel Garg alleged that Bajwa has already secured his ticket with the BJP and has held meetings with senior BJP leaders in Bengaluru. Garg further suggested that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should keep a close watch on Bajwa’s political moves.
The controversy comes at a time when the Bhagwant Mann government is facing mounting pressure following AAP’s electoral defeat in Delhi. In an attempt to counter criticism, the Punjab government has launched an extensive anti-corruption drive.
Last week, 52 police officers, including constables and inspectors, were dismissed on corruption charges. Additionally, senior IPS officer Varinder Kumar was removed from his position as Chief Director of the Vigilance Bureau and was instructed to report to the police chief.
The crackdown has also extended to the bureaucracy. Sri Muktsar Sahib’s Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Tripathi, a 2016 batch IAS officer, was suspended, and the Vigilance Department has initiated an inquiry against him.
With allegations, counter-allegations, and an ongoing corruption probe, the political landscape in Punjab remains volatile. As the power struggle intensifies, both AAP and the opposition are gearing up for potential shifts in the state’s political dynamics.
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