Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Tuesday (Feb 11), rejected rumours of internal conflicts within the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) state unit, emphasising that AAP leaders are committed to the party, unlike Congress leaders who have a history of switching parties.&nbsp;
"Switching sides is Congress' culture; they talk about others but do not worry about themselves. I will ask Pratap Singh Bajwa how many MLAs they have in Delhi." Mann said.
Mann then slammed Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa stating that Bajwa should instead count how many MLAs Congress has in Delhi.
"Bajwa has made such claims for years, let him say it... He should not count our MLAs and instead, see how many MLAs Congress has in Delhi," the Punjab CM said.
"The law and order of Punjab is better than most states... We have to put in extra effort being a border state, and we are doing that," he added.&nbsp;
Mann's remarks came after Bajwa claimed that over 30 AAP MLAs were in touch with his Congress party.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: After meeting AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "... Arvind Kejriwal thanked the MLAs for their work in the Delhi elections... Punjab government is working for the welfare of the people... Even today, the people of Delhi say that&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/TFcUlBeYgE">pic.twitter.com/TFcUlBeYgE</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1889219972100141453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>Kejriwal holds meeting with Punjab ministers and MLAs</h2>
After AAP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with Punjab ministers and MLAs at Kapurthala House in Delhi on Tuesday (Feb 11).
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-election-results-2025-arvind-kejriwal-concedes-defeat-accepts-peoples-mandate-8702166">Also read: Delhi Election Results 2025: Arvind Kejriwal concedes defeat, accepts 'people's mandate'</a>
Mann reiterated the unity within AAP, and said, "He (Bajwa) has been making claims earlier also that 20 MLAs or 40 MLAs are in touch with him. Let them say it. We have formed this party with our sweat and blood, going among people in the villages and towns in the state."
"Our party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has wholeheartedly thanked everyone for the tireless hard work done by the MLAs of Punjab in campaigning in the Delhi elections. Because of the work we have done, we are still getting the love of the people of Delhi. We will continue to work for public welfare in the future also," he added as he highlighted his government's achievements.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: After AAP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with Punjab ministers and MLAs at Kapurthala House in Delhi on Tuesday (Feb 11).

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Tuesday (Feb 11), rejected rumours of internal conflicts within the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) state unit, emphasising that AAP leaders are committed to the party, unlike Congress leaders who have a history of switching parties. "Switching sides is Congress' culture; they talk about others but do not worry about themselves. I will ask Pratap Singh Bajwa how many MLAs they have in Delhi." Mann said. Mann then slammed Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa stating that Bajwa should instead count how many MLAs Congress has in Delhi. "Bajwa has made such claims for years, let him say it... He should not count our MLAs and instead, see how many MLAs Congress has in Delhi," the Punjab CM said. "The law and order of Punjab is better than most states... We have to put in extra effort being a border state, and we are doing that," he added. Mann's remarks came after Bajwa claimed that over 30 AAP MLAs were in touch with his Congress party. #WATCH | Delhi: After meeting AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "... Arvind Kejriwal thanked the MLAs for their work in the Delhi elections... Punjab government is working for the welfare of the people... Even today, the people of Delhi say that… pic.twitter.com/TFcUlBeYgE — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2025 Kejriwal holds meeting with Punjab ministers and MLAs After AAP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with Punjab ministers and MLAs at Kapurthala House in Delhi on Tuesday (Feb 11). Also read: Delhi Election Results 2025: Arvind Kejriwal concedes defeat, accepts 'people's mandate' Mann reiterated the unity within AAP, and said, "He (Bajwa) has been making claims earlier also that 20 MLAs or 40 MLAs are in touch with him. Let them say it. We have formed this party with our sweat and blood, going among people in the villages and towns in the state." "Our party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has wholeheartedly thanked everyone for the tireless hard work done by the MLAs of Punjab in campaigning in the Delhi elections. Because of the work we have done, we are still getting the love of the people of Delhi. We will continue to work for public welfare in the future also," he added as he highlighted his government's achievements. (With inputs from agencies)

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann rejects rumours of dissent in AAP; 'switching sides is Congress' culture'

Recently, purported videos of individuals in disastrously inebriated state have taken the internet by storm, raising concerns on the drug menace in northern India's Punjab.

Taking a swipe at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that the youth of the state was suffering due to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s greed.

He accused AAP MLAs and MPs of direct involvement in making the drug mafia stronger in Punjab.

Sharing one of the viral videos on his official X account, he came down heavily on the AAP government and Mann.

"This late-night video of Amritsar of a young girl high on drugs shows the failure of the AAP Punjab Government! What have you done to Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann Ji?" Sirsa questioned.

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This late night video of Amritsar of a young girl high under Drugs shows the failure of <a href="https://twitter.com/AAPPunjab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AAPPunjab</a> Govt! What have you done to Punjab, CM <a href="https://twitter.com/BhagwantMann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bhagwantmann</a> Ji? 
 
You came to power promising elimination of drugs in 3 months but now your own party people are involved in this! 
 
Drug… <a href="https://t.co/QdIADuRsZS">pic.twitter.com/QdIADuRsZS</a>
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) <a href="https://twitter.com/mssirsa/status/1805177004444258505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"You came to power promising elimination of drugs in 3 months but now your own party people are involved in this! Drug Mafia has become stronger with direct involvement of AAP MLAs and MPs… Punjab’s youth is dying due to Bhagwant Mann’s greed," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjabs-aap-minister-sparks-row-after-objectionable-video-of-him-flashing-genitals-to-job-seeker-surfaces-726080">Also read: Punjab minister lands AAP in fresh row after his video of flashing genitals at job seeker surfaces</a>

AAP has found itself in hot waters in the recent months after Delhi CM and party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate filed an official dossier with the Union Home Ministry (MHA) where it alleged that AAP received over Rs 7 crore (8,38,994.80 USD) as foreign funding, in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

The ED shared the inputs with MHA after it retrieved several emails and documents from the time when a money laundering probe related to drugs was launched against former Punjab AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira along with other political figures.

Notably, the investigation was initiated in 2021 and Khaira was arrested in the case by ED that year. He left AAP and is at present with the Congress party.

The federal probe agency, as per news agency PTI's reports, found out that till now, AAP has received about Rs 7.08 crore as overseas donations.

The ED also alleged that the party has "mis-declared and manipulated" details like the identities and nationalities of the foreign donors.

AAP however refuted the accusations calling them baseless.&nbsp;

"These are baseless allegations. It is an old case where it has already been proved that no illegal donation has been taken," senior AAP leader Atishi stated.

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Recently, purported videos of individuals in disastrously inebriated state have taken the internet by storm, raising concerns on the drug menace in northern India's Punjab.

Recently, purported videos of individuals in disastrously inebriated state have taken the internet by storm, raising concerns on the drug menace in northern India's Punjab. Taking a swipe at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that the youth of the state was suffering due to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s greed. He accused AAP MLAs and MPs of direct involvement in making the drug mafia stronger in Punjab. Sharing one of the viral videos on his official X account, he came down heavily on the AAP government and Mann. "This late-night video of Amritsar of a young girl high on drugs shows the failure of the AAP Punjab Government! What have you done to Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann Ji?" Sirsa questioned. This late night video of Amritsar of a young girl high under Drugs shows the failure of @AAPPunjab Govt! What have you done to Punjab, CM @bhagwantmann Ji? You came to power promising elimination of drugs in 3 months but now your own party people are involved in this! Drug… pic.twitter.com/QdIADuRsZS — Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 24, 2024 × "You came to power promising elimination of drugs in 3 months but now your own party people are involved in this! Drug Mafia has become stronger with direct involvement of AAP MLAs and MPs… Punjab’s youth is dying due to Bhagwant Mann’s greed," he added. Also read: Punjab minister lands AAP in fresh row after his video of flashing genitals at job seeker surfaces AAP has found itself in hot waters in the recent months after Delhi CM and party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Last month, the Enforcement Directorate filed an official dossier with the Union Home Ministry (MHA) where it alleged that AAP received over Rs 7 crore (8,38,994.80 USD) as foreign funding, in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The ED shared the inputs with MHA after it retrieved several emails and documents from the time when a money laundering probe related to drugs was launched against former Punjab AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira along with other political figures. Notably, the investigation was initiated in 2021 and Khaira was arrested in the case by ED that year. He left AAP and is at present with the Congress party. The federal probe agency, as per news agency PTI's reports, found out that till now, AAP has received about Rs 7.08 crore as overseas donations. The ED also alleged that the party has "mis-declared and manipulated" details like the identities and nationalities of the foreign donors. AAP however refuted the accusations calling them baseless. "These are baseless allegations. It is an old case where it has already been proved that no illegal donation has been taken," senior AAP leader Atishi stated. (With inputs from agencies)

BJP slams Punjab's AAP government as videos showing people under influence of drugs go viral on social media

Arvind Kejriwal, congratulated the people of India's northern state Punjab for his political party's stellar performance in the state assembly elections, calling it "revolutionary".

Election Commission data shows that&nbsp;the Aam Aadmi Party is leading in 92&nbsp;seats out of 117 in the Punjab Assembly as of 4&nbsp;PM. This is followed by Congress with 17 seats and Shiromani Akali Dal with 7.

The party's win in Punjab would mark the party's first in the state and a dramatic turnaround from its performance in the 2017 elections when it had finished second behind Congress.

<h3><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-india-assembly-election-result-2022-aap-surge-sweeps-punjab-bjp-leads-in-4-states-460719">LIVE | India Assembly Election Result 2022: AAP surge sweeps Punjab; BJP leads in 4 states</a></h3>

"Iss Inquilab ke liye Punjab ke logon ko bahut bahut badhai (congratulations to the people of Punjab for this revolution)," tweeted Kejriwal, the Indian capital of Delhi's Chief Minister and political party Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convenor.

Along with the tweet he also posted a photo of him and the AAP Chief Ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann, showing the victory sign.

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इस इंक़लाब के लिए पंजाब के लोगों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई। <a href="https://t.co/BIJqv8OnGa">pic.twitter.com/BIJqv8OnGa</a>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1501808836297977857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Amarinder Singh accepted his defeat and congratulated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its CM face Bhagwant Singh Mann "for an emphatic victory in the elections".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-assembly-poll-results-major-embarrassment-as-capt-amarinder-singh-loses-patiala-seat-460882" hreflang="en">India's Assembly Poll results: Major embarrassment as Capt Amarinder Singh loses Patiala seat</a>

In a statement, he said that while winning and losing is the natural outcome of elections, at the end, it was a victory of democracy in the state.

As Congress entered the polls, it was battling factionalism and anti-incumbency. Navjot Singh Sidhu, the new state unit chief of the party, hinted at his own intentions to become chief minister. This was while his party changed its Chief Minister in September last year.&nbsp;

Congress nominated Charanjit Singh Channi for the chief ministerial post days before the elections on February 20, endorsing him as the first Dalit chief minister in Punjab.

Watch |&nbsp;India: Counting of votes begins in 5 states as people look to give poll mandates to parties

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-counting-of-votes-begins-in-5-states-as-people-look-to-give-poll-mandates-to-parties-460761/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Shiromani Akali Dal, which had broken off its alliance with the BJP over the three farm laws that were eventually repealed, allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest the Assembly elections.

BJP candidates contested more than 65 seats in Punjab for the first time, coming out in a tie with Punjab Lok Congress candidates led by Captain Amarinder Singh and Sanyukt Party candidates led by SS Dhindsa.

Punjab recorded an average voter turnout of 65.50 per cent on February 20 compared to over 77 per cent in 2017.

(With inputs from agencies)

Arvind Kejriwal, congratulated the people of India's northern state Punjab for his political party's stellar performance in the state assembly elections, calling it "revolutionary".

Arvind Kejriwal, congratulated the people of India's northern state Punjab for his political party's stellar performance in the state assembly elections, calling it "revolutionary". Election Commission data shows that the Aam Aadmi Party is leading in 92 seats out of 117 in the Punjab Assembly as of 4 PM. This is followed by Congress with 17 seats and Shiromani Akali Dal with 7. The party's win in Punjab would mark the party's first in the state and a dramatic turnaround from its performance in the 2017 elections when it had finished second behind Congress. LIVE | India Assembly Election Result 2022: AAP surge sweeps Punjab; BJP leads in 4 states "Iss Inquilab ke liye Punjab ke logon ko bahut bahut badhai (congratulations to the people of Punjab for this revolution)," tweeted Kejriwal, the Indian capital of Delhi's Chief Minister and political party Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convenor. Along with the tweet he also posted a photo of him and the AAP Chief Ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann, showing the victory sign. इस इंक़लाब के लिए पंजाब के लोगों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई। pic.twitter.com/BIJqv8OnGa — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 10, 2022 × Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Amarinder Singh accepted his defeat and congratulated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its CM face Bhagwant Singh Mann "for an emphatic victory in the elections". Also read | India's Assembly Poll results: Major embarrassment as Capt Amarinder Singh loses Patiala seat In a statement, he said that while winning and losing is the natural outcome of elections, at the end, it was a victory of democracy in the state. As Congress entered the polls, it was battling factionalism and anti-incumbency. Navjot Singh Sidhu, the new state unit chief of the party, hinted at his own intentions to become chief minister. This was while his party changed its Chief Minister in September last year. Congress nominated Charanjit Singh Channi for the chief ministerial post days before the elections on February 20, endorsing him as the first Dalit chief minister in Punjab. Watch | India: Counting of votes begins in 5 states as people look to give poll mandates to parties Shiromani Akali Dal, which had broken off its alliance with the BJP over the three farm laws that were eventually repealed, allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest the Assembly elections. BJP candidates contested more than 65 seats in Punjab for the first time, coming out in a tie with Punjab Lok Congress candidates led by Captain Amarinder Singh and Sanyukt Party candidates led by SS Dhindsa. Punjab recorded an average voter turnout of 65.50 per cent on February 20 compared to over 77 per cent in 2017. (With inputs from agencies)

Punjab Election Results 2022: Even before ECI formal announcement, AAP celebrates a 'revolutionary' win