AAP Campaigns in Delhi, Faces Criticism Over Panjab Governance

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is leveraging its power in Panjab to campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections on 5 Feb. Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and other AAP leaders have been highlighting achievements like 300 units of free electricity, Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics, and job creation. While many Panjab government employees blame AAP for reneging on promises such as restoring the Old Pension Scheme, the party insists it is different from ‘traditional parties’ and hopes to maintain control of Delhi. The election results will be declared on 8 Feb. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress have accused AAP of unfulfilled promises in Panjab, such as failing to provide financial aid to women or eradicate the drug menace. The BJP also alleged misuse of Panjab government resources in Delhi, claiming thousands of Panjab-registered vehicles being used for campaigning. CM Mann dismissed these claims, accusing the BJP of questioning Panjabis’ patriotism. Meanwhile, four of the seven Rajya Sabha (Upper House) MPs from Panjab—Balbir Singh Seechewal, Ashok Mittal, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, and Sanjeev Arora—were excluded from AAP’s star campaigners list hinting at the AAP leaderships’ lack of faith in these leaders though nominated by AAP. Simultaneously, upon Delhi police’s request, Panjab police withdrew additional security for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, sparking protests from AAP functionaries who allege that Kejriwal's safety was compromised. The BJP also took aim at AAP leader Rituraj Jha for ‘insulting’ Sikhs by referring to Bangladeshis and Rohingyas as Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s ‘relatives,’ demanding an immediate apology. In contrast, Afghan Sikhs in Tilak Nagar who recently received Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act are preparing to vote for the first time (WD Vol 2, Issue 11, Story 1).