New Delhi, November 2 (TNA) The Aam Aadmi Party suffered a major political setback ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections after three of its former legislators—Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra—joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday.
The leaders were formally inducted at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of senior party functionaries, including Punjab BJP in-charge Satish Poonia, co-in-charge Virendra Sachdeva and state BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon.
Leaders Resign from AAP
Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra resigned from the AAP’s primary membership on Sunday. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who had been suspended by the party, resigned as the MLA from Amritsar North before joining the BJP.
Jouramajra represents Samana, while Pathanmajra is the MLA from Sanaur. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, a former Indian Police Service officer, represents Amritsar North.
Criticism of Punjab Government
After joining the BJP, the leaders criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government and raised issues including alleged corruption, drugs, extortion and gangster culture in Punjab. Their remarks are expected to intensify the political contest in the state ahead of the Assembly elections.
The AAP has described the defections as a political development involving rebel leaders. The party’s response comes as it prepares to defend its position in Punjab, where it formed the government after winning the 2022 Assembly elections.
BJP Sees Opportunity
The induction gives the BJP additional political visibility in Punjab and strengthens its efforts to expand its organisational base before the 2027 polls. The party has projected the move as evidence of growing dissatisfaction with the AAP government.
The defections are likely to trigger further political realignments in the state. With the elections approaching, both parties are expected to focus on governance, law and order, development and the movement of leaders between rival camps.