'Grand Old Party should focus on itself': Punjab AAP MLA Narinder Kaur dismisses Congress's defection claims ahead of Delhi meet

NEW DELHI: Amid rising speculations surrounding internal dissent within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leadership, Punjab AAP MLA Narinder Kaur took a direct jibe at Congress, accusing the Grand Old Party of failing to make a mark in Delhi.


Speaking during the meeting called by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi on Tuesday, Kaur dismissed rumors about any fissures within the party and dismissed Congress’s claims about AAP MLAs in Punjab being in touch with them.

"We accept the mandate of Delhi people. AAP will play the role of a strong Opposition. This is a routine meeting. On the talks of AAP MLAs in touch with Punjab’s Leader of Opposition (LoP), they should think about themselves. Congress could not open their account in Delhi. They should think about themselves," Kaur remarked, adding, “Our leaders are able to do our politics, and we will continue to do so."


Kaur’s comments came in response to Congress's Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa’s statement claiming that over 30 AAP MLAs in Punjab were in contact with Congress. Bajwa further hinted at the possibility of mid-term elections in the state, suggesting that Congress was the only viable alternative for AAP MLAs looking for a change. Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, too, expressed similar concerns, raising the specter of defections within AAP.

However, AAP dismissed the Congress claims as mere "rumor-mongering." Neel Garg, senior spokesperson for the party, called out Bajwa's comments, accusing him of spreading misinformation. "Mann is leading a stable AAP government in Punjab. Bajwa should focus on addressing the issues in his own party," Garg said, while AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang ridiculed Congress’s position. “Bajwa is dreaming impossible dreams, like Mungerilal,” he quipped, alluding to the fictional character known for his daydreams.

The meeting, called by Kejriwal, is seen as a routine strategy session, but the timing has fueled speculation about the future of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Critics have suggested that Kejriwal may be looking to exert more control over Punjab, a state where AAP scored a historic victory in 2022 but has faced growing challenges since.

Amidst this, BJP’s Tarun Chugh claimed that the "countdown for Bhagwant Mann’s government has begun," reflecting the opposition’s growing narrative of instability within AAP’s ranks.

Political observers are also closely watching the growing unrest in Punjab, with some speculating that a splinter group of AAP MLAs might be forming.

Congress in-charge for Punjab, Devender Yadav, pointed out that AAP's Punjab MLAs have been "restless" over the party's control from Delhi. Yadav suggested that this discontent could lead to a split within the party, especially after AAP’s disappointing performance in Delhi.

For the third consecutive election, Congress failed to win a single seat, making it a hat-trick of zeros. Despite an aggressive campaign led by former party chief Rahul Gandhi, the party couldn’t regain its footing in the national capital.

The Congress, which once ruled Delhi for 15 years, has once again failed to secure any seat in the Delhi assembly election.