Punjab Newsline | Jalandhar
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is currently going through one of its most challenging political phases. Following reports that seven Rajya Sabha MPs left the party amid rebellious moves and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab party in-charge Manish Sisodia have taken direct charge of the situation.
To prevent further political defection among legislators, Manish Sisodia held a crucial meeting on Wednesday at the City Campus in Shahpur, Jalandhar. More than 25 MLAs and ministers attended the meeting, which lasted for nearly three and a half hours. However, the scheduled press conference was later cancelled, and Sisodia left the venue without addressing the media.
Before departing, Sisodia launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that it is “a party full of traitors” and urged people not to be influenced by its statements. He said that AAP MLAs are are connected with any party, they are connected to the people who elected them and are working in close coordination with the public. He added that the party’s representatives have worked for four years and will continue working for another year before seeking re-election.
Sisodia further stated that AAP workers are already highly motivated and do not depend on leaders for inspiration. According to him, their motivation comes from the performance of the government. He also claimed that AAP has delivered work across sectors that previous governments could not achieve even in 75–80 years.
He explained that the party has appointed observers in every 15 villages or wards to stay in regular contact with volunteers, understand their issues, and report back to the leadership. He said that meetings are held every 3–4 months, and discussions were also held in the current meeting involving reports from observers who have interacted with nearly 2.5 lakh volunteers.
Launching another attack on the BJP, Sisodia alleged that the party engages in divisive politics and uses agencies like the ED and CBI for political purposes. He questioned the BJP’s performance, asking whether it has built hospitals, schools, or improved employment and business opportunities in the country.
Despite the meeting being officially described as a gathering of 1,000 block observers, several MLAs also attended, reportedly leading to confusion about the agenda. Some participants described it as a routine meeting, while others called it a special session or linked it to upcoming municipal elections.
Initially scheduled at the Chief Minister’s residence in Jalandhar, the venue was later shifted to Shahpur City Campus. CM Bhagwant Mann joined the meeting via video conferencing. Before the discussions began, MLAs and observers participated in informal games, including tug-of-war, as part of efforts to strengthen coordination and unity within the party.
