Punjab Congress Leader Bajwa Sparks Controversy with Claims About AAP MLAs

Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, 68, recently stirred political waters by claiming that 32 MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were in contact with him, expressing interest in switching sides. The AAP dismissed his statement as baseless. Bajwa discusses this controversy and other pressing issues, including the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

Farmers’ Agitation and Government Response

Q. Talks between the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seems to have collapsed, with many SKM leaders detained in a midnight police action. How do you see this situation?

It’s miserable. I’ve seen similar behavior in the Vidhan Sabha. When there are two sessions in a day, the Chief Minister appears fine until lunchtime, but things change afterward. The meeting with farmers’ leaders in Chandigarh on Monday went on until 5 PM, and I don’t think they expected the CM’s attitude to shift so drastically. His abrupt walkout was irrational and reflects a lack of experience. Power seems to have gone to his head.

I reminded the farm leaders that they had supported AAP in the 2022 elections. The Malwa Kisan unions backed AAP, and as the Punjabi saying goes, *“The knots they tied with their own hands must now be untied with their teeth.”*

The arrests of farmer leaders resemble colonial-era tactics. Punjab is an agrarian state, and these leaders merely discussed the concerns of farmers and farm laborers. If the CM refuses to engage, where else should they go? The BJP-led Centre isn’t listening to them either. If Bhagwant Mann lacks the patience to govern, he should step down. That’s why I say, that while Kejriwal has gone for a ten-day Vipassana retreat in Hoshiarpur, it’s Mann who needs meditation more. It’s high time Kejriwal replaced him with a more capable leader.

War on Drugs: Too Little, Too Late?

Q. The AAP government has launched a war on drugs, with CM Mann giving Punjab Police a three-month deadline to show results. Your thoughts?

What were Kejriwal and Mann doing for the last three years? Kejriwal promised that drugs would be eradicated within four months of AAP coming to power. The CM keeps claiming the menace will be wiped out in a couple of months, yet nothing has changed.

I’ve maintained from the beginning that the highest ranks of Punjab Police are complicit in the drug trade. They know exactly who is selling drugs. This so-called war on drugs is just theatrics. After their defeat in Delhi, AAP is panicking and now wants to appear honest after three years of misgovernance. But they are only targeting small players while the real culprits remain untouched.

Defection Claims and AAP’s Response

Q. CM Mann dismissed your claim that 32 AAP MLAs are ready to switch sides. How do you respond?

My claim is 100% true. Not a single AAP leader has openly challenged me or asked for proof. I’ve been in politics for 45 years—I don’t make baseless statements. I never claimed Akali or BJP leaders were in touch with me. These AAP MLAs are speaking to me, and when the time is right, I will present them before you.

Impact of Bhupesh Baghel’s Appointment in Punjab Congress

Q. Bhupesh Baghel has been appointed as the new AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab. What difference will he make?

Baghel is a seasoned leader and former Chhattisgarh CM. He has faced 600 raids from central agencies under BJP rule and understands their tactics. In Punjab, we can expect similar attacks—ED, Income Tax, NIA raids, and even attempts to stir religious tensions. Punjab is a border state, and the BJP will use every tool at its disposal. Baghel’s experience will be invaluable in countering these strategies. He will also guide us in tackling voter list tampering, which has already happened in some states.

Congress Prospects in the 2027 Punjab Assembly Polls

Q. How do you assess Congress’s chances in the 2027 Punjab elections?

Right now, there is no real competition. If elections were held today, Congress would be far ahead of all other parties. However, if new alliances emerge, the situation could change.

AAP will struggle to even reach double digits in 2027. The people will punish them. Historically, AAP and Congress share a secular and nationalist vote base, while SAD and BJP have religion-based support. Over the last 15 years, SAD and BJP together have polled around 33% of the votes. In 2017, under Captain Amarinder Singh, Congress secured 42%. In 2022, Congress dropped to 21-22%, while AAP peaked at 42.5%. But together, Congress and AAP have commanded 65-66% of the vote share.

As AAP declines, Congress will regain its lost votes. In 2022, AAP took away our voters. This time, we will reclaim them.

BJP’s Role in Punjab Politics

Q. Do you see BJP as a major player in the 2027 elections?

BJP will struggle in Punjab. They won’t get Sikh, Christian, Muslim, or Dalit votes. Their core Hindu vote bank alone isn’t enough to form a government. They only gained a foothold in Punjab through their alliance with the Akalis. Unlike in other states, BJP will remain a marginal player here for a long time.