By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Sanour in Patiala district, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, has openly revolted against the Bhagwant Mann government and the party’s Delhi leadership, alleging that both ministers and MLAs have been reduced to having no say in governance.
In a strongly worded statement, Pathanmajra accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of acting as a “puppet” in the hands of Delhi leaders. Following his outburst in an interview that went viral on social media, the Chief Minister ordered the withdrawal of Pathanmajra’s security, and sources indicated that his expulsion from the party is also under consideration. The SHO's of Sanaur constituency have also been shofted out.
The MLA, expressing anger over the “callous attitude” of Irrigation and Drainage Secretary Krishan Kumar (IAS), blamed him for the floods that devastated several villages in his constituency. Pathanmajra claimed he had repeatedly written letters and personally met the CM and the concerned minister to seek relief for people but no action was taken.
He alleged that farmers were denied permission to use earth from their fields to raise embankments, worsening the flood crisis. Questioning appointments, he remarked, “Was there no officer from Punjab’s background fit to be the secretary of irrigation?”
The MLA further charged that ministers lacked even the authority to transfer a peon without approval from Delhi leaders, indirectly targeting AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and party incharge of Punjab Manish Sisodia.
Unfazed by the security withdrawal, Pathanmajra said he was prepared for government retaliation. “They may register cases against me, but I don’t bother. Delhi leadership is keeping CM Bhagwant Mann under pressure, preventing him from performing, ” he declared, urging the Chief Minister to take an independent stand as “all MLAs would support him.”
The legislator alleged that Punjab’s resources were being “looted” under Delhi’s control, and admitted he had failed to fulfill promises to his voters because of the government’s functioning. “If things don’t improve, people will hound AAP leaders, ” he warned. He also appealed his fellow MLAs to listen to their voice of conscience and stand with people of Punjab.
Pathanmajra’s revolt follows the earlier expulsion of Amritsar MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, who was removed from AAP after accusing the Delhi leadership of shielding illegal mining in border districts and collusion in the drug trade.
With Pathanmajra joining the chorus of rebellion, AAP faces growing internal dissent in Punjab just three years into its tenure.