AAP Slams BJP Leader Ravneet Bittu Over Sangrur Police Row, Accuses Him of 'Gundagardi' The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a sharp attack on BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu following his confrontation with Sangrur police over the detention of Onkar Singh, a former aide to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who had switched allegiance to the BJP. AAP state president Aman Arora condemned Bittu's actions, calling them a clear example of the BJP's "gundagardi" (lawless) tactics and a replication of the "Bengal model" in Punjab. The incident unfolded a day after high drama in Sangrur and Dhuri, where Bittu had confronted police over the detention of Singh, who was accused of campaigning in Dhuri for civic polls despite being an outsider. Onkar Singh, who previously served as OSD to CM Bhagwant Mann until two years ago, was detained by Sangrur police on Tuesday morning. The police alleged he had campaigned in Dhuri for the civic polls, which are being held in the state, and that he was required to leave the area on Sunday. After a day of tense developments, Singh was released by police following his appearance before the Duty Magistrate on Tuesday evening. Arora criticized Bittu for his public criticism of Punjab Police, highlighting the contradiction given Bittu's family ties to the force. Arora questioned Bittu's remarks against police officers, including Sangrur SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal, and pointed to Bittu's own family connections within the police department. He cited Bittu's alleged remarks against police officers and asked why Bittu had previously secured his brother, Guriqbal Singh, as DSP in Punjab Police during the Congress government. Arora alleged that the appointment of Bittu's brother was made on compensatory grounds, with rules bent to facilitate the posting.#aam_aadmi_party #bhagwant_mann #ravneet_singh_bittu #sangrur_police #onkar_singh
Punjab: CM Mann's Brother Joins BJP, AAP Leaders Also Defect Punjab's political landscape saw significant upheaval on Monday as the brother of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jyoti Singh Mann, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move has intensified political tensions in the state, with multiple leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also defecting to the ruling party. The developments have sparked widespread discussions across the region, marking a pivotal shift in the state's political dynamics. Jyoti Singh Mann, the brother of CM Bhagwant Mann, formally became a BJP member in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar. His defection follows similar moves by other AAP leaders, including Baljinder Singh Wadhera and Manjinder Singh, who also pledged allegiance to the BJP. This wave of defections has raised concerns about the stability of the AAP government, which has been facing internal challenges in recent months. The political realignment comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the AAP-led government. Earlier this year, seven AAP legislators, including Rajya Sabha members like Rajiv Chaddha, Sandip Pathak, and Ashok Mittal, had switched allegiance to the BJP. This mass defection, termed "Operation Lotus" by AAP, led to significant unrest within the party and prompted accusations of corruption against the BJP. The situation escalated further with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raiding the residence of Punjab's Industrial Minister Sanjeev Arora. The ED arrested Arora on charges of money laundering and GST fraud, citing a case involving over 157 crore rupees. The raid, conducted on Saturday, led to protests by AAP supporters, with clashes reported at BJP offices in Ludhiana and Balachaur.#bharatiya_janata_party #nayab_singh_saini #aam_aadmi_party #bhagwant_mann #jyoti_singh_mann
Probe Agency Raids Punjab Minister's Premises, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Condemns BJP Tactics The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at four locations linked to Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora on Saturday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The raids, which took place in Chandigarh and the Delhi-NCR region, included Arora’s official ministerial residence. Officials confirmed the ED targeted Arora and his associated entities, with one location being his official residence. This follows an earlier raid on April 17, when the ED had searched Arora’s linked entities under the civil provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Arora, a 62-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA representing Ludhiana West, has been a prominent figure in Punjab’s political landscape. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the BJP during a press conference, accusing the party of misusing central agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department as tools for political targeting. Mann claimed states heading into elections often see increased activity by such agencies, and said Punjab has now become the BJP’s latest focus. He stated, “For a long time, they have been using them for their politics. Be it Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal. Now, Punjab is on their target.” Mann also referenced AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, alleging that raids at Mittal’s residence and university ceased after he joined the BJP. Mann further accused the BJP of leveraging these raids to pressure leaders into joining the party, claiming that the real intent behind the ED operations is to threaten businesses and reputations. He noted the ED’s raid at Arora’s residence marked the third such action in a year and the second this month.#aam_aadmi_party #enforcement_directorate #bhagwant_mann #sanjeev_arora #punjab_power_minister
The AAP Party's Internal Struggle Escalates to the Presidential Office The political conflict within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab has reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan, as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha are set to meet President Droupadi Murmu separately on May 5, 2026. Mann, who has been at the center of the party's internal crisis, plans to request the president to recall seven AAP legislators who allegedly betrayed Punjab's interests by joining the BJP. The meeting marks a critical step in resolving the party's internal rift, which has intensified over the past weeks. Mann, who is expected to meet the president at 12 PM, will be accompanied by all AAP legislators in Punjab. During his journey to Delhi, Mann emphasized that all AAP legislators are united and criticized the government for granting him exclusive access to the presidential meeting. He stated, "The president is the guardian of the constitution and must safeguard the nation's interests." This remark underscores the gravity of the situation, as the AAP seeks to address the alleged disloyalty of its legislators. The conflict began when seven AAP legislators, including Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and others, defected to the BJP in early April. They accused the party of deviating from its core principles and demanded a reevaluation of its policies. The Rajya Sabha Speaker, C.P. Radhakrishnan, formally recognized their defection on April 25, reducing AAP's representation in the upper house to just three members. This development has sparked widespread debate about the party's unity and leadership. Mann's proposal to recall the seven legislators hinges on their alleged failure to prioritize Punjab's interests.#rashtrapati_bhavan #aam_aadmi_party #rajya_sabha_speaker #raghav_chadha #bhagwant_mann
AAP MLAs Reaffirm Party Loyalty as Confidence Motion Passes Amid Opposition Absence The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators in Punjab reaffirmed their commitment to the party and its government as the Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday. The motion, tabled during a special one-day session held on May Day to honor the working class of the state, was approved with a voice vote, despite the absence of most opposition members. The session saw the AAP’s 94 legislators, out of 117 total seats, with 87 present, four absent, and two in jail. The opposition, including the Congress, boycotted the session, while the BJP and some regional parties also stayed away, leaving the AAP to secure the motion’s passage. The confidence motion came amid heightened political tensions following the defection of seven AAP legislators to the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, six of whom were from Punjab. The AAP government had called the special session to address internal concerns about potential dissent within the party, as rumors circulated about some legislators allegedly engaging with defected MPs. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the assembly, dismissed these rumors as a deliberate attempt by the opposition to destabilize the party. “Such rumors create an illusion in people’s minds,” he said, adding that the AAP remains united and strong. Mann emphasized the party’s national presence, citing AAP’s representation in Gujarat, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi, where it serves as the main opposition. He also highlighted the government’s achievements in Punjab, including improved water supply and a law against sacrilege.#rajya_sabha #aam_aadmi_party #bhagwant_mann #punjab_legislative_assembly #shirromani_akali_dal
Raghav Chadha's Z+ Security Withdrawn By Punjab Amid Row With AAP The Punjab government has revoked the Z+ security provided to Raghav Chadha, a former deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following escalating tensions between the party and the former politician. The decision comes after Chadha was removed from his position as a deputy leader in the state assembly, a move that has intensified his public dissent against the AAP. Chadha, who was previously a senior aide to AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was stripped of his role in the party earlier this year. The move reportedly followed a series of disputes over policy decisions and internal power struggles within the AAP. Since then, Chadha has become a vocal critic of the party, using social media platforms to voice his grievances. His posts have gained significant traction, with many of his followers supporting his calls for greater political independence. The Punjab government’s decision to withdraw Chadha’s Z+ security—reserved for high-profile individuals facing security threats—has been interpreted as a direct response to his public clashes with the AAP. Officials have cited the need to "maintain law and order" as the rationale for the revocation, though critics argue it reflects the AAP’s attempt to marginalize Chadha after his departure from the party. Chadha’s removal from the AAP has also sparked speculation about his future political affiliations. While some reports suggest he may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), others indicate he might form his own political party. A recent social media post by a supporter hinted at the possibility of Chadha launching a new party, arguing that aligning with existing factions could dilute his influence.#punjab_government #bharatiya_janata_party #aam_aadmi_party #raghav_chadha #bhagwant_mann
