Arvind Kejriwal received a major shock, subtly mirrored by Bhagwant Mann. Questions arose about the stability of Punjab's Chief Minister's position after the political tremors in Delhi. However, the storm calmed for now following the meeting between Bhagwant Mann, who traveled to Delhi with Punjab legislators, and Arvind Kejriwal.
The storm may have passed, but for how long? How long can the Aam Aadmi Party hold on to power in Punjab? Following the meeting in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann touted the Punjab model, but when the Delhi model failed, what significance does it hold now?
Just as the BJP aims to oust Arvind Kejriwal in Punjab following Delhi, the Congress too seeks to wipe out the Aam Aadmi Party.
Kejriwal Battling Two Foes Alone
Even though Congress and BJP appear to stand on opposite poles of Indian politics, in the Delhi elections, both leveraged each other tactically - and this caused direct harm to the Aam Aadmi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal.
The concept of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' doesn't just apply to Congress and BJP; it resonates with the Aam Aadmi Party as well. This strategy is apparent in varying political circumstances.
Recall the 2022 Punjab election campaign, where both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Arvind Kejriwal in a similar fashion. BJP leveraged Kumar Vishwas's statements, while Rahul Gandhi persistently questioned Kejriwal's alleged links with terrorists in his speeches.
The BJP benefited from Arvind Kejriwal's Ramleela agitation in dislodging Congress from central power. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party cut its niche by severing Congress’s support. Kejriwal pursued his strategy, but Congress attacked from the BJP's flank, creating havoc in Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal has perceptively gauged the political landscape and impending challenges in both Delhi and Punjab, and has mobilized remedial measures. By summoning Bhagwant Mann and Punjab legislators to Delhi, he imparted crucial survival tactics. Though this intel has surfaced publicly, insider details remain pending. After making the long journey from Punjab to Delhi, people were sent back within an hour, leaving many puzzled.
BJP Seeks Foothold in Punjab, Congress Eyes Power Return
The BJP has historically relied on the Akali Dal for its political strategy in Punjab, but during the farmers' protests against agricultural laws, the Badal family exited the NDA. Back then, Harsimrat Kaur of the Akali Dal was a minister in the central government. In Punjab’s assembly elections, the BJP tried its luck with Captain Amarinder, a Congress rebel, but to no avail.
In Punjab, akin to Delhi, the BJP lacks a robust foundation, which is why the party parallels Arvind Kejriwal in needing a charismatic leader like Bhagwant Mann. It’s expected that under opportune circumstances, the BJP wouldn't shy away from an 'Operation Lotus' - provided Bhagwant Mann himself aligns with the BJP, or potentially a figure like a Sindhia, Hemanta, or Shinde emerges from within the Aam Aadmi Party to join forces with the BJP.
Regarding Congress, it faces similar challenges in Punjab as it does elsewhere. The party's issues in Punjab parallel those in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Internal factionalism remains a significant hurdle, and Rahul Gandhi doesn’t seem to have a political resolution. The crisis in Punjab deepened to an extent that even Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge collectively couldn’t resolve it, ultimately handing power to the Aam Aadmi Party on a platter.
Swati Maliwal continues to pose unique challenges for Arvind Kejriwal. She has now turned her focus to Punjab after Delhi. Sharing a video on social media Platform X, Swati Maliwal wrote, ‘This video from Punjab’s Zirakpur shows rampant sand theft under the guise of desilting… Arvind Kejriwal Ji promised to stop sand theft and save ₹20,000 crores… Currently, Punjab lacks funds even to pay salaries… Where has this ₹20,000 crore gone?’
One user commented on Swati Maliwal’s post, ‘Punjab after Delhi, an unending cycle of vengeance.’
