In Chandigarh, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Monday dismissed speculation about his possible shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party, reaffirming his commitment to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
Speaking at a press conference largely focused on Punjab’s power situation, Arora made it clear that he had no intention of leaving AAP and will continue fulfilling his duties as a cabinet minister in the state government. Addressing questions related to action by the Enforcement Directorate, he said he was fully prepared to cooperate with any ongoing investigation.
On the issue of electricity supply, Arora explained that the current shortage was not confined to Punjab but across the country. He attributed the situation to a combination of factors, including a sharp rise in demand, reduced power generation, coal shortages, and increased consumption driven by rising temperatures.
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He noted that the shortage began around April 18 and that the government has been actively working to stabilise the situation by boosting generation, improving supply chains and managing demand. According to him, conditions have already begun to improve, with further stabilisation expected after May 1 and technical issues likely to be resolved by mid-May.
Arora also highlighted that a thermal power plant in Mukerian is currently undergoing repairs due to earlier technical faults and is expected to resume operations soon. In the meantime, the state has procured additional electricity from Tata Power to bridge the gap.
Providing broader context, he said Punjab’s average power demand is about 4,000 MW, but it can rise sharply to nearly 17,000 MW during peak periods, particularly in the paddy cultivation season. He acknowledged that unseasonal heat and abrupt weather changes this year led to an unexpected spike in demand, although unplanned outages have significantly decreased compared to last year.
Responding to concerns over the state’s free electricity scheme, Arora clarified that the current supply constraints are not linked to the policy. He reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted power and is willing to procure electricity at higher costs if necessary.
He also urged residents to use electricity responsibly to reduce pressure on the grid and help ensure equitable distribution. Arora’s remarks come amid intensified political speculation linking scrutiny by central agencies with possible defections. By firmly denying such rumours, he sought to project stability within the AAP-led government headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
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