On Monday, November 2, 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab faced a significant internal challenge as Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh submitted his resignation from the Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh. This departure marks the third time an AAP legislator has quit the party within a mere 48 hours, intensifying scrutiny on the ruling party's stability ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Singh, a former IPS officer, reportedly forwarded his resignation to Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. His decision followed closely on the heels of two other AAP lawmakers, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Sanaur and Chetan Singh Jouramajra from Samana, who announced their intent to leave the party just a day prior. All three legislators have since joined the BJP, as confirmed by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva.
Kunwar Singh's exit carries particular weight due to his background and political standing. After joining AAP in 2021, he quickly became a prominent state figure, securing the Amritsar North seat in the 2022 elections. However, his relationship with the party leadership deteriorated, culminating in a five-year suspension in June 2025 over alleged anti-party activities. Despite the suspension, Singh remained vocal, often criticising the party's operations and the state government's policies.
On Sunday, Singh launched a fresh attack, accusing AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of straying from the party's foundational principles, particularly the ideal of Swaraj. He expressed concerns over the law and order situation, drug menace, extortion, and gangster activities prevalent in Punjab. Pathanmajra and Jouramajra had also voiced similar criticisms against the Mann government's performance, citing issues like drug trafficking, unemployment, and farmers' concerns.
These rapid departures arrive at a critical juncture for AAP, which has already commenced preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections by announcing its initial list of 40 candidates. The resignations of three sitting MLAs within two days underscore growing discontent within the party's Punjab unit, posing a formidable challenge to the AAP leadership as it navigates the crucial electoral landscape.
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf