Three Punjab AAP MLAs join BJP before 2027 election
BJP gains local networks while AAP faces sharper internal dissent
Overview
Three Punjab legislators have moved to the after disputes over candidate selection, party discipline and governance intensified ahead of the . Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra of Sanaur and Chetan Singh Jouramajra of Samana resigned from on November 1, soon after its renominated 40 sitting MLAs. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh of Amritsar North, who had earlier been suspended, separately resigned as an MLA. All three formally joined the in New Delhi on November 2, citing concerns including corruption, law and order and political functioning. has rejected their criticisms and defended its record.
The moves do not automatically change the Assembly’s numbers. Pathanmajra and Jouramajra resigned from the party, not their seats, while Singh’s seat depends on the and could face a by-election. Their larger impact is political: they bring local networks and public profiles to a still trying to expand in Punjab, while exposing tensions over ’s incumbency and candidate control. Further resignations, by-elections, alliances and candidate announcements will show whether the defections alter the 2027 contest.
Timeline
Punjab parties faced the next test over Assembly vacancies, further defections and 2027 nominations
The immediate measurable questions became whether the , whether any additional resignations create , and whether Pathanmajra or Jouramajra retain their seats while . Further defections, alliance decisions, candidate announcements and AAP’s response to its first list will determine whether the episode remains a limited revolt or develops into a broader 2027 campaign realignment.
BJP called the defections a setback for AAP ahead of the 2027 Punjab election
BJP and reports described the arrival of Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra as a setback for AAP ahead of the . The effect on future contests in Amritsar North, Samana and Sanaur remained uncertain.
Three Punjab AAP MLAs joined BJP, but only one resigned from the Assembly
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh resigned from the , while Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra resigned from AAP before joining BJP. The defections weakened AAP politically, but the immediate effect on Assembly vacancies and the government’s majority was not established.
The defectors accused Punjab’s AAP government of governance and political failures
The departing leaders used the BJP joining to attack AAP’s record, raising allegations involving governance, corruption, law and order and the party’s internal political functioning. BJP leaders presented the defections as evidence of , while AAP faced criticism over discipline and candidate control.
Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh joined the BJP
The three AAP leaders formally joined the at its headquarters in New Delhi. The ceremony brought together Pathanmajra of Sanaur, Jouramajra of Samana and Singh of Amritsar North, turning separate disputes over discipline, candidate selection and political functioning into a coordinated opposition development.
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh resigned as the Amritsar North MLA after leaving AAP
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh announced that he had sent his resignation as an MLA to Kultar Singh Sandhwan. Unlike Pathanmajra and Jouramajra, whose initial step was resignation from the party, Singh separately resigned his Assembly seat while citing his own political and governance-related reasons for leaving AAP.
Sanaur MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Samana MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra resigned from AAP
Pathanmajra of Sanaur and Jouramajra of Samana resigned from AAP’s after the candidate list was released. Their stated grievances included dissatisfaction with candidate selection and alleged anti-party action, but neither resignation by itself constituted a resignation from the Assembly or a formal switch to the BJP.
AAP renominated 40 sitting MLAs in its first list for the 2027 Punjab election
AAP announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election, largely renominating sitting legislators, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from Dhuri. The list placed candidate selection and the party’s reliance on incumbents at the center of the renewed internal dispute.
AAP suspended Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh after an internal dispute
AAP suspended Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, its MLA from Amritsar North, after tensions over his criticism of the party’s political functioning and governance. His case became a separate strand of dissent before the later exits by Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra.
AAP won Punjab’s Assembly election and formed the state government
The Aam Aadmi Party won a clear majority in the 2022 and formed the government under Bhagwant Mann. The result established AAP as the state’s governing force and created the for the 2027 contest.