Punjab Outlook

Amritsar – Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala stated that the action taken by Kejriwal’s party against its own clean-image MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh has revealed the internal intolerance of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) towards criticism. This proves that there is no space left in the party for dissent or critical voices.
Prof. Khiala said that while an honest legislator has been expelled on the pretext of “anti-party activities,” a former health minister like Vijay Singla, who was caught with serious corruption charges, has been given a clean chit. This clearly shows that AAP has completely abandoned the very principles of Lokpal, anti-corruption, and government accountability — ideals for which Anna Hazare had launched movements against Congress governments.
He added that in a democratic system, offering suggestions to one’s own government or critically reviewing its policies cannot be considered wrong. Expelling those who raise valid questions instead of addressing their concerns indicates that there is no democratic framework left within Kejriwal’s party.
Prof. Khiala reminded Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, as a senior police officer and member of the SIT probing the Bargari sacrilege and Kotkapura firing cases, had earned huge support and respect from the Sikh community. Recognizing this popularity, Kejriwal had himself visited Amritsar and inducted him into AAP, projecting him as a party brand. After becoming an MLA, Kunwar Vijay Pratap fearlessly and honestly raised his voice against the wrong policies of the Mann government. However, over time, he realized that he had merely been “used” and then sidelined, which understandably led to disappointment.
Prof. Sarchand Singh said, “I support Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who had the courage to raise the issue that Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann had promised before elections to punish those responsible for sacrilege cases, but are now allowing the accused to roam free due to their collusion with former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal.” He further alleged that the SIT, functioning under the Chief Minister’s supervision, is pressuring witnesses and favoring the accused, who have now come to dominate the government machinery. The people of Punjab have been deceived. “Now the final judgment will be in the court of Guru Gobind Singh Ji,” he said, adding that Kunwar was not even allowed to speak on the issue of sacrilege in the Vidhan Sabha.
Prof. Khiala further said that the excuse for expelling the MLA — that he questioned the vigilance action against Bikram Singh Majithia — was merely a pretext. In fact, the Mann government and AAP were uncomfortable because of Kunwar’s consistent criticism and exposure of their wrongdoings. Though they tried to portray that no politics would be tolerated in the anti-drug campaign, they failed to explain why Majithia was not interrogated or taken on remand while in jail, and how he was granted bail. “Isn’t it true that the government used the vigilance bureau as a political tool for its own benefit?” he asked.
He questioned whether the MLA was expelled because he had exposed the post-municipal election horse-trading of councillors and criticized his own government. Was it because he had revealed that an AAP MP was shielding drug traffickers through senior police officers? Or because he had raised questions on the Mann government’s failure to stop the nexus of politicians, police, and liquor mafia in the Majitha liquor tragedy which led to the death of 24 people? Or because he demanded an FIR against Bhagwant Mann and his resignation, citing that Mann had blamed former CM Capt. Amarinder Singh for the 2020 spurious liquor tragedy and had demanded his resignation back then?
Prof. Khiala also questioned whether the action against the MLA was taken because he had ridiculed the Mann government’s claims of establishing Schools of Eminence and launching an educational revolution, saying: “Show me where new Schools of Eminence have been built?” when in reality, already well-functioning schools were merely renamed.
In conclusion, Prof. Sarchand Singh said that the people will respond to Kejriwal and AAP’s double standards and authoritarianism. The BJP honors democratic values, as well as honest and fearless voices