Chandigarh, April 30
Punjab’s political theatre has erupted into high voltage turmoil as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition lock horns in a fierce contest of numbers and narratives. With a Special Assembly session scheduled for May 1, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann exudes confidence, insisting his government enjoys a comfortable majority. The opposition, however, is unconvinced—and increasingly combative.
Former Deputy CM and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has slammed the timing of the session, slated for Labour Day (Friday), calling it a desperate bid by the government to showcase strength through a possible confidence motion. He went further, predicting that the ground reality points to President’s Rule being imposed within two months.
From the Akali Dal camp, former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has sharpened the attack, declaring that AAP has already lost its majority. He alleged that only a handful of MLAs turned up at a key Jalandhar meeting, while others were coerced into attendance under pressure from agencies like the Vigilance Bureau.
The crisis has deepened with seven AAP MPs—including Raghav Chadha—crossing over to the BJP. Their defection has intensified speculation of widening cracks within AAP’s Punjab unit, raising the stakes ahead of the Assembly showdown.
