AAP Appoints Aman Arora as Punjab President, Sherry Kalsi as Working President

GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 22nd Nov. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab appointed New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora as the new president of its state unit on Friday, following a month of discussions on leadership changes. This move comes after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his desire to step down from the post of party president, citing the increasing responsibilities of his role as the state’s chief minister.

Arora, a prominent Hindu leader from the party, takes over as the new state president, with MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi appointed as the working president. The announcement comes just one day before the results of the by-elections to four assembly seats—Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala—are set to be declared.

The bypolls, held after incumbent legislators were elected to the Lok Sabha, are being viewed as a crucial test for Mann, whose government has now completed two-and-a-half years in office. In a statement posted on X, Mann expressed confidence in the new leadership team, stating, “I have full confidence in both my colleagues that they will strengthen the party and the organisation in Punjab in the coming time and take it to new heights.”

Bhagwant Mann had held the post of AAP Punjab president for seven years, including during the party’s successful 2022 assembly election campaign, where AAP secured 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly. He had previously stated that as chief minister, the added responsibilities left him with limited time to devote to party affairs, prompting him to seek a full-time president for the state unit.

AAP’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, congratulated Arora and Kalsi on their new roles, emphasizing their ability to strengthen the party in Punjab. “I am confident that Aman Arora and Sherry Kalsi will work tirelessly to address the issues of the people and take the party to greater heights,” he said.

Arora, who has served as a two-term MLA from Sunam and as a cabinet minister, is known for his inclusive approach and strong grassroots support. He secured the highest victory margin in the 2022 assembly elections. Kalsi, the MLA from Batala, has also proven to be a dedicated leader, and his appointment highlights AAP’s focus on energizing its leadership.

In his remarks, Arora thanked the party leadership for entrusting him with the role and expressed his commitment to building upon the existing organizational foundation in Punjab. He also stressed the importance of unity within the party, describing AAP as a “family.”

Kalsi reiterated his dedication to his new role and pledged to work closely with senior leaders to drive the party’s vision forward. Both leaders promised to strengthen AAP’s presence and bring meaningful results to the people of Punjab.