Patiala — A deepening rift is unfolding within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as frustration boils over in Punjab, where local leaders and workers are increasingly voicing anger over what they describe as the domineering and autocratic control of Delhi-based AAP officials. With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann often seen aligning with decisions made by party Supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his close associates, many in Punjab believe the state’s administration is no longer in the hands of elected Punjabi representatives but instead governed remotely by a handful of powerful figures from Delhi.
The growing perception is that the Punjab government is being run by proxy. Key decisions—ranging from bureaucratic transfers to job appointments, development fund allocations, and even policing strategies—are reportedly being made by the Delhi leadership, with little to no consultation from Punjab’s MLAs, ministers, or party cadres. Several high-profile Delhi AAP leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendra Jain, have made frequent visits to Punjab, often conducting closed-door meetings with top bureaucrats and issuing directives. These actions have been criticized as undermining Punjab’s federal autonomy and humiliating the elected representatives of the state.
Adding fuel to the fire are revelations about the lavish spending of crores of rupees on security, logistics, and accommodations for the Delhi-based leadership during their Punjab visits. At a time when Punjab is grappling with mounting public debt, unpaid salaries, and a struggling economy, the optics of extravagant convoys, VIP guesthouses, and a bloated security apparatus are drawing widespread condemnation. Reports suggest that elite security cover, chartered aircraft usage, and high-end guest facilities are being prioritised over core issues such as education, healthcare, and rural development. Residents and opposition parties alike have questioned how this aligns with AAP’s promises of simplicity and public-focused governance.
The rank and file of the Punjab AAP unit are feeling increasingly alienated. Long-time volunteers and grassroots workers, who once passionately mobilised support for the party under the banner of change, are now protesting what they see as betrayal. Job appointments in government departments and contractual posts are reportedly being handed out based on recommendations from the Kejriwal Delhi circle, leaving out dedicated Punjab workers who have struggled for years for party growth. This has caused mass resignations, protests, and even internal rebellion within AAP units across cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Patiala.
One protesting block-level AAP member from Moga said, “Our voices don’t matter anymore. People who never stepped foot in Punjab are now dictating who gets jobs, who leads, and how decisions are made. We are being used and discarded.” His sentiment is echoed by many who believe that Delhi’s highhandedness is not just demoralizing, but dangerously eroding the party’s base in Punjab.
Economists and political analysts warn that Punjab is fast heading toward a fiscal cliff, with public debt touching alarming levels. Many blame financial mismanagement, populist announcements with no revenue backing, and non-prioritized spending under the Delhi-controlled model. Experts argue that unless the state regains administrative independence, genuine development will remain out of reach. Local residents are increasingly vocal about the gap between AAP’s promises and its current practices. “They said they would bring ‘badlav’ (change), but all we got is Delhi rule and growing debt,” said a teacher in Sangrur who has not been paid for three months.
The controversy has also unified the opposition, with leaders from Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and BJP calling the current AAP government a “puppet regime.” They allege that Arvind Kejriwal is using Punjab as a launchpad for his national ambitions while ignoring the ground realities and aspirations of the state’s people. In the Assembly and in public forums, opposition leaders have accused the Bhagwant Mann government of being a rubber stamp, acting on Delhi’s diktats rather than reflecting Punjab’s needs.
As Punjab stands at a political and administrative crossroads, the Aam Aadmi Party must confront internal dissent and widespread public dissatisfaction. What began as a movement promising transparency, empowerment, and local accountability is now facing accusations of centralized control, elitism, and betrayal of federal values. Whether the party listens to the voices from within Punjab or continues its top-down approach from Delhi may well determine its future in the state.