AAP Punjab Cracks Widen as CM Bhagwant Mann Faces Escalating Internal Dissent, MLA Suspensions, and Corruption Allegations Ahead of 2027 Polls

Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab faces widening internal rifts as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cracking down on dissenting MLAs exposes structural failures in governance, education, and public service delivery. With lawmakers disciplined for questioning government performance and major defections rocking the party ahead of the 2027 elections, critics point to systematic misgovernance under AAP rule. This report by RMN News details how growing political friction and public grievances are reshaping the state’s political landscape.

RMN News Punjab Desk
New Delhi | October 6, 2026

Corruption and Misgovernance Shadow AAP Rule in Punjab as Internal Cracks Widen

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab is confronting severe internal turbulence as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann faces rising dissatisfaction from within his party’s ranks ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. What began as individual grievances from lawmakers has expanded into a broader systemic political crisis, exposing significant lapses in administrative performance, public infrastructure, and democratic accountability across the state.

This report is published as part of the RMN News Punjab Governance Tracker under the Punjab Elections | RMN Election Hub, providing verified accountability reporting on policy implementation, public grievances, and administrative performance across Punjab.

Teacher Shortages and the Collapse of Education Claims

The escalating rift within the party was highlighted by the suspension of Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana for alleged “anti-party activities.” The disciplinary action came shortly after Maiserkhana released a public video message confronting the Mann administration over chronic teacher shortages in state-run schools. Maiserkhana holds the distinction of being the only MLA in the 117-member Punjab Assembly who sends his own children to government schools.

In his message, Maiserkhana stated that he had repeatedly approached Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and senior party leader Manish Sisodia to resolve school staffing deficits, but his appeals were ignored. Rather than addressing the deficit in basic educational infrastructure, the party leadership disciplined the lawmaker, accusing him of attempting to defame the party.

Opposition leaders from the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized upon the incident, emphasizing that an insider from the ruling party had dismantled AAP’s claims of ushering in an “education revolution” through its touted “Delhi model.” Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Pargat Singh noted that the suspension exposed authoritarian control within the government and demonstrated how central party leaders from Delhi continue to dictate state decisions without addressing local public needs.

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Pattern of Silencing Lawmakers and Political Retaliation

The disciplinary action against Maiserkhana reflects a broader pattern of suppressing internal criticism within the Bhagwant Mann administration. Multiple ruling party lawmakers who raised concerns over governance and public policy have faced punitive actions:

• Sanour MLA Harmit Singh Pathanmajra: After publicly criticizing the government’s handling of flood relief efforts and objecting to interference by AAP’s Delhi leadership, Pathanmajra had his security cover withdrawn. He was subsequently booked in a criminal case that he characterized as politically motivated retaliation.
• Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh: Suspended from the party for five years after challenging the methods of the Vigilance Bureau and opposing high-profile political arrests, questioning the integrity of state law enforcement procedures.

Parliamentary Defections and Political Instability

The internal instability within the state legislature follows a major parliamentary collapse for AAP in Punjab. Earlier, seven of the party’s ten Rajya Sabha MPs defected and merged with the BJP, utilizing two-thirds defection provisions. Six of these departing parliamentarians represented Punjab directly, including prominent leaders such as Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajinder Gupta, Ashok Mittal, and Harbhajan Singh.

This mass exodus from parliament, combined with mounting suspensions of state MLAs, highlights a growing crisis of confidence in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership and central administrative oversight.

Public Grievances and the 18-Point AAP Corruption Model

Beyond internal party friction, administrative performance indicators across Punjab reflect deepening public distress. Approximately 3 crore residents in Punjab continue to face systemic challenges, including an unchecked drug crisis, declining healthcare services, dilapidated school facilities, and deteriorating road and transport networks.

Accountability findings from RMN News highlight that public resources are being compromised through what analysts describe as an 18-Point AAP Corruption Model. Under this framework, state funds intended for public welfare and infrastructure development are diverted to serve political interests and personal gains of senior party functionaries.

Conclusion and Outlook for the 2027 Polls

While AAP swept into power in 2022 by securing 92 of 117 Assembly seats on promises of transparent governance and institutional reform, unfulfilled commitments and centralized decision-making have alienated both lawmakers and citizens. As opposition parties sharpen their critique and internal dissent expands, the Bhagwant Mann government enters the final stretch before the 2027 polls under heavy scrutiny over its governance, fiscal administration, and democratic practices.