AAP in Crisis: Is Kejriwal Plotting to Oust Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann?

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Feb. A Brewing Political Storm in AAP

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections has sent shockwaves through the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), raising questions about its leadership and future strategies. As AAP reels from its defeat, allegations of internal power struggles have surfaced, with BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa claiming that AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal is plotting to remove Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from his position.

Sirsa, who secured victory from Rajouri Garden, alleged that Kejriwal is attempting to stage a ‘coup’ against Mann, blaming him for the party’s failures and planning to replace him. This claim comes amidst mounting tensions within AAP after its crushing defeat in Delhi, where it won only 22 seats, while the BJP secured a two-thirds majority with 48 seats, marking its return to power in the capital after 27 years.

These allegations raise serious questions: Is Kejriwal consolidating power at the cost of Mann? Is AAP heading toward an internal collapse? And how will this impact Punjab’s political landscape?

Sirsa’s Allegations: A ‘Coup’ in the Making?

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a scathing attack on AAP leadership, claimed that in the next 15-20 days, Mann would be blamed for Punjab’s failures and removed from office, just like former Punjab Health Minister Vijay Singla, who was sacked in May 2022 over corruption charges.

“The next 15-20 days are extremely crucial for Bhagwant Mann. He will be blamed for everything. Then he will be removed just like Vijay Singla. But, after removing him, will Arvind Kejriwal be able to become the CM? I don’t think so… Kejriwal is trying to stage a coup against the Punjab CM,” Sirsa stated.

Sirsa further questioned whether Kejriwal would succeed in this attempt and if Mann’s removal would strengthen or weaken AAP’s control over Punjab.

These remarks are not entirely surprising, given that AAP’s governance in Punjab has been plagued by internal rifts, growing discontent within the party ranks, and a declining approval rating for Mann’s leadership.

BJP’s Strategy: Capitalizing on AAP’s Internal Tensions

BJP, fresh from its electoral triumph in Delhi, appears to be strategically targeting AAP’s vulnerabilities. By highlighting the alleged power struggle between Kejriwal and Mann, the BJP aims to further destabilize AAP’s stronghold in Punjab, the only state where the party still holds power.

Sirsa’s statements align with BJP’s broader political strategy—to weaken AAP by exposing its internal contradictions, governance failures, and lack of a unified leadership. The party is set to hold key discussions in the coming days, with winning MLAs meeting BJP’s national leadership to finalize the next Chief Minister of Delhi. The decision is expected once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his visit to the United States.

BJP is also keen on leveraging AAP’s weakening position to strengthen its foothold in Punjab, where it has traditionally played a secondary role behind Congress and Akali Dal.

AAP’s Decline: From Resurgence to Crisis

AAP’s disastrous performance in Delhi has severely damaged its political credibility. The party, which had secured a landslide victory in 2015 and 2020, saw a massive drop in its vote share, while Arvind Kejriwal himself lost his seat.

This shocking defeat was attributed to several factors:

• BJP’s aggressive campaign focusing on Kejriwal’s alleged corruption cases and governance failures.
• Congress’s role in dividing the opposition votes, contesting all 70 seats and indirectly damaging AAP.
• Anti-incumbency sentiment after a decade of AAP rule in Delhi.

However, AAP’s bigger crisis lies in Punjab, where its governance has been under constant scrutiny. Mann, despite his initial popularity, has faced growing criticism for his leadership style, mishandling of law and order, and failure to deliver on major promises.

The biggest challenge for AAP now is to prevent internal collapse, particularly if Kejriwal is indeed plotting a leadership change in Punjab.

Potential Fallout: What Happens If Mann Is Removed?

If Kejriwal does move forward with replacing Mann, the consequences could be severe for AAP’s political survival in Punjab.

1. Public Backlash: Punjab voters may see Mann’s removal as an act of betrayal, given that he was elected with an overwhelming mandate.
2. AAP’s Further Weakening: Internal rifts could worsen, with party MLAs potentially rebelling against Kejriwal’s leadership.
3. BJP’s Advantage: BJP could use this chaos to position itself as a stable alternative, attracting disgruntled AAP and Congress voters.
4. Congress’s Revival: Congress, which has been in a state of decline, may regain lost ground by portraying itself as a viable opposition to both AAP and BJP.

The biggest risk for Kejriwal would be failing to consolidate control over Punjab after removing Mann. If his strategy backfires, it could push AAP into further political irrelevance.

Kejriwal’s Leadership at a Crossroads

If these allegations hold weight, Arvind Kejriwal is making a high-stakes gamble. By attempting to remove Mann, he risks alienating AAP’s voter base in Punjab while exposing himself to accusations of authoritarian leadership within his own party.

Moreover, Kejriwal’s credibility is already under strain, especially after his failed alliance with Congress in Delhi and Punjab. The party’s 2025 electoral disaster suggests that AAP cannot rely on anti-BJP rhetoric alone—it needs strong governance and stable leadership.

Instead of engaging in power struggles, Kejriwal should focus on rebuilding AAP, addressing governance failures in Punjab, and reviving the party’s credibility at the national level. Otherwise, AAP could meet the same fate as other regional parties that failed to adapt to changing political dynamics.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for AAP

The next few weeks will be crucial for both AAP and Punjab’s political future. If Kejriwal moves forward with removing Mann, it could either consolidate his control over the party or trigger a major rebellion that could weaken AAP permanently.

For the BJP, this is a golden opportunity to expand its influence in Punjab by exposing AAP’s internal chaos and presenting itself as a stable, reliable alternative.

Regardless of the outcome, AAP’s internal conflicts, BJP’s strategic positioning, and Congress’s revival attempts ensure that Punjab will remain a hotbed of political drama in the months to come.

The battle for Punjab’s leadership is far from over—and the next move will determine whether AAP survives or collapses under its own contradictions.