Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has stirred political controversy by claiming that 32 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are in touch with him, seeking to switch sides. While AAP dismissed these claims as baseless, Partap Singh Bajwa insists he has political experience and would not make unfounded statements. He maintains that when the time is right, he will present these MLAs publicly.
Partap Singh Bajwa also criticized the Punjab government’s handling of the ongoing farmers’ agitation, particularly the recent breakdown in discussions between Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The midnight arrests of several farmer leaders, he argues, reflect a colonial mindset and disregard for Punjab’s agrarian concerns. Partap Singh Bajwa noted that Punjab farmers had supported AAP in the 2022 elections, but now they must confront the consequences of their decision. He accused the chief minister of displaying irrational behavior and lacking the patience required for governance, suggesting that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal should replace him with a more competent face.
The Punjab government’s war on drugs has also drawn criticism from Partap Singh Bajwa, who questioned why the administration had failed to deliver results despite being in power for three years. He pointed out that Kejriwal had promised to eliminate drugs within four months of forming the government, yet the situation remains unchanged. According to Partap Singh Bajwa, senior officials in the Punjab Police are complicit in the drug trade, and the government’s latest efforts are merely a political stunt following AAP’s defeat in the Delhi elections. He accused the administration of targeting small players while allowing major culprits to escape accountability.
Responding to CM Bhagwant Mann’s mockery of his claim regarding AAP MLAs wanting to defect, Partap Singh Bajwa reaffirmed his statement, stating that no one from AAP has directly challenged him or asked him to reveal the names. He reiterated that his long political career has been built on credibility and that he would not make baseless allegations.
Partap Singh Bajwa also expressed confidence in Congress’s prospects for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, claiming that his party currently has no strong competition. He argued that if all four major parties—AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—contest separately, Congress would emerge as the dominant force. He further analyzed voting patterns, emphasizing that AAP and Congress together have historically commanded around 65-66% of Punjab’s electorate, and as AAP loses ground, Congress is poised to regain its lost vote share. He dismissed BJP’s chances of forming a government, stating that the party lacks support from Sikh, Christian, Muslim, and Dalit communities and has historically relied on alliances with the Akalis to remain relevant in Punjab.
Partap Singh Bajwa also welcomed the appointment of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as the new All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Punjab. He highlighted Bhupesh Baghel’s experience in countering BJP’s tactics and stated that his expertise would be valuable in handling electoral challenges, including concerns over tampering with voter lists and misuse of investigative agencies. According to Partap Singh Bajwa, Bhupesh Baghel’s leadership will strengthen the Congress’s position and help the party effectively counter political threats in Punjab.
