Punjab AAP Braces for Cabinet Reshuffle as Kejriwal Assesses Ministers’ Performance

Following major organizational changes at the national level, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is abuzz with speculation that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann may soon reshuffle his Cabinet.

On Friday, AAP appointed former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia as Punjab in-charge and ex-Delhi minister Satyendar Jain as co-in-charge, just weeks after the party’s loss to the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections. Now, all eyes are on potential changes in the Punjab government.

Ministers Called to Delhi with ‘Report Cards’

Sources say AAP national convener and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal summoned Punjab’s Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh to Delhi on Saturday. Both were asked to present their “report cards,” detailing the utilization of funds in their respective departments.

The meeting comes amid controversies surrounding both ministers. Harbhajan Singh was recently accused of pressuring power department engineers to contribute to a “party fund,” triggering allegations that the money was meant for AAP’s Delhi election campaign. Kataruchak, meanwhile, faced past accusations of sexual misconduct, though the case was later withdrawn.

Cabinet Reshuffle Expected in April?

An AAP insider revealed that a reshuffle could take place as early as April. “Some party leaders are in favor of the move, while others are opposing it,” the source said.

Kejriwal, who has been closely monitoring Punjab’s political landscape, appears to be focused on strengthening the Mann Cabinet with “strong faces.” His recent meeting with former minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar in Amritsar has only fueled speculation about potential new inductees.

Vacant Slots & Possible New Entrants

With two ministerial positions vacant in Punjab’s 18-member Cabinet, there is growing chatter that AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora could be inducted as a minister if he wins the Ludhiana West poll. If this happens, it could also pave the way for Kejriwal to enter the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.

AAP’s Sixth Cabinet Overhaul Since 2022

Since coming to power in early 2022, Mann’s government has already undergone six Cabinet reshuffles. The last one occurred in September 2024, shortly after Kejriwal was released on bail in the Delhi liquor “scam” case, leading to the removal of four ministers and the induction of five new faces.

With Punjab politics heating up and Kejriwal’s growing involvement, a major shake-up in Mann’s government seems imminent.