Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa Predicts Mid-Term Polls in Punjab Amid AAP Turmoil
New Delhi: Congress MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, on Monday predicted the possibility of mid-term elections in Punjab, citing growing discontent within the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following its dismal performance in the Delhi Assembly elections. Randhawa claimed that a significant number of AAP MLAs in Punjab could desert the party, leading to political instability in the state.
The speculation comes ahead of a crucial meeting scheduled for Tuesday, where AAP national convener and Delhi Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, state ministers, and party MLAs in Delhi. The meeting is seen as an attempt to address internal dissent and strategize in the wake of AAP’s electoral setback in Delhi, where the party failed to secure a single seat in the Lok Sabha polls.
Speaking to reporters, Randhawa highlighted the AAP’s defeat in Delhi as a turning point, stating, “He (Kejriwal) had said that ‘if I am corrupt, don’t vote for me.’ Now, Delhiites have put their stamp, and Kejriwal has lost badly. One supremo says that no one is honest except him, but his deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) lost, his jail minister lost.”
Randhawa’s remarks underscore the growing challenges faced by AAP in Punjab, where the party has been grappling with internal strife and allegations of mismanagement. The Congress leader’s prediction of mid-term polls reflects the opposition’s belief that the AAP government in Punjab is on shaky ground, with discontent brewing among its legislators.
The AAP’s poor performance in Delhi has raised questions about Kejriwal’s leadership and the party’s ability to maintain its momentum in other states. In Punjab, where AAP came to power with a sweeping majority in the 2022 Assembly elections, the party is now facing criticism over issues such as governance, law and order, and unfulfilled promises.
Political analysts suggest that the upcoming meeting between Kejriwal and Punjab AAP leaders could be a make-or-break moment for the party. If the internal discord is not addressed, it could lead to defections and further weaken the AAP’s position in the state.
Meanwhile, the Congress and other opposition parties in Punjab are closely monitoring the developments, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on the AAP’s vulnerabilities. Randhawa’s prediction of mid-term polls has added fuel to the political fire, with many speculating that Punjab could witness a fresh round of elections sooner than expected.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Kejriwal and his ability to steer the AAP through this crisis. For now, the possibility of mid-term polls in Punjab remains a topic of intense debate, with the state’s political landscape poised for potential upheaval.
