2 hrs ago
AAP Dissent Widens as Punjab Elections Approach
An AAP lawmaker in Punjab criticized the government because he said schools did not have enough teachers.
The party suspended him, saying he had acted against the party.
He said he had already raised the problem with party leaders but nothing changed.
The AAP says his claims are false and that complaints should be raised inside the party.
Other AAP lawmakers have also clashed with the party over government decisions.
Separately, seven AAP members of the Rajya Sabha joined the BJP.
Opposition parties say these events show trouble inside AAP.
Punjab is due to hold its next Assembly election in February 2027.
The Aam Aadmi Party suspended Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana for alleged anti-party activities after he criticized teacher shortages in government schools.
Maiserkhana said he had raised the issue with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Manish Sisodia without resolution.
The AAP called Maiserkhana’s allegations false and said public dissent could warrant disciplinary action.
Other AAP MLAs, including Harmit Singh Pathanmajra and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, have also faced party or government action after criticizing decisions.
The party’s internal tensions come after seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP, as opposition parties challenge AAP’s cohesion before the 2027 Punjab elections.
- Who
- AAP MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, the AAP leadership and opposition parties in Punjab.
- What
- Maiserkhana was suspended after criticizing teacher shortages in government schools; the incident adds to reported tensions within AAP.
- Where
- Punjab, India.
- When
- Saturday; the article also refers to other disputes in June 2025 and September 2025, and the next Punjab Assembly election is slated for February 2027.
- Why
- Maiserkhana said government schools lacked teachers and that his repeated appeals had not been addressed; AAP said his allegations were false and accused him of trying to defame the party.
Critics of the AAP government
AAP's response
Teacher shortages and school conditions
Critics of the AAP government
Maiserkhana said government schools had teacher shortages and that his requests for action had gone unanswered. Opposition figures said his account undermined AAP's education claims.
AAP's response
AAP rejected Maiserkhana's allegations as false and accused him of trying to defame the party.
How dissent should be handled
Critics of the AAP government
Congress leader Pargat Singh accused AAP of dictatorship and said Punjab was being run by leaders from Delhi; he urged AAP MLAs to speak up.
AAP's response
AAP general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat said dissatisfied leaders should raise issues within the party and that AAP could take disciplinary action when dissent was aired publicly.
Action involving Harmit Singh Pathanmajra
Critics of the AAP government
Pathanmajra called a police case against him politically motivated, and opposition parties linked the action to his criticism of the government's flood response.
AAP's response
AAP maintained that the law was taking its course against wrongdoing.
Key facts
- Suspended MLA
- Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, representing Maur
- Stated reason for suspension
- AAP cited alleged anti-party activities.
- Issue raised
- Maiserkhana alleged teacher shortages in state-run schools.
- Punjab Assembly size
- 117 seats
- AAP's 2022 Punjab result
- Won 92 of 117 seats.
- Rajya Sabha departures
- Seven of AAP's 10 Rajya Sabha MPs crossed over to the BJP; six were from Punjab.
- Next Punjab Assembly election
- Slated for February 2027.
Quotes
Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana
AAP MLA from Maur who criticised the state government’s handling of teacher shortages.
“But if the leaders have any issue due to any dissatisfaction, they should raise it at the party level. They should be disciplined. If dissent is aired publicly then the party has the right to take disciplinary action.”
indianexpress.com
“With only a few months left (for the elections), the fight now is for Punjab’s voice, its rights and its future.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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