Kejriwal calls meeting with Punjab MLAs amid exodus talk
What's the story
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has summoned a meeting with the party's MLAs and ministers from Punjab on Tuesday.
The decision comes after the AAP faced a massive defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, winning only 22 out of 70 seats.
This marks a steep decline from its previous tally of 62 seats in the 2020 elections.
Strategy discussion
Meeting to strategize for upcoming Punjab elections
The meeting is scheduled to deliberate on the fallout of the Delhi election results and plan for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.
Punjab is the only state where AAP is still in power, having won 92 of the 117 seats in the 2022 Assembly elections.
However, Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa has alleged that over 30 AAP legislators in Punjab are mulling switching sides to his party.
Allegiance shift
AAP legislators in Punjab considering switching allegiance
Bajwa has been critical of AAP's performance and leadership, saying "Delhi's results point toward the beginning of AAP's end."
He also hinted that Kejriwal might contest from Ludhiana, which is currently vacant, and possibly eye a role in the Punjab government.
BJP leader Subhash Sharma echoed similar sentiments about Kejriwal's possible political moves in Punjab.
Meeting purpose
AAP MP describes meeting as part of 'continuous process'
Despite these claims, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang called the meeting a "continuous process" to seek feedback from party units and formulate future strategies.
He stressed that it is an organizational meeting under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The recent developments have led to speculation about possible changes within AAP and its future strategies in Punjab and nationally.