In a setback to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, two of its legislators from Patiala district, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra, resigned from the party on Sunday and announced their decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Former cabinet minister and Samana MLA Jouramajra also announced his resignation through a social media post. Pathanmajra, the MLA from Sanaur, submitted his resignation to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, quitting the party with immediate effect. He also cited the party’s promise to eradicate drugs, referring to Union home minister Amit Shah’s announcement on the issue. The exits have brought renewed attention to growing differences within the Punjab AAP unit, particularly over constituency-level appointments and the party leadership’s electoral strategy. AAP had recently appointed new constituency in-charges in both segments. Ranjodh Hadana was given responsibility for Sanaur, while former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister Surjit Singh Rakhra was appointed in-charge of Samana. The appointments had triggered speculation that the party was considering alternative candidates for the two constituencies, potentially sidelining the sitting MLAs. Pathanmajra’s relations with the AAP leadership had deteriorated following his public criticism of the state government’s handling of floods in his constituency. His differences with the party were further compounded by his implication in a rape case. He had escaped during a police operation to arrest him and was subsequently arrested in Gwalior. The Punjab and Haryana high court later granted him bail. Reacting to the resignations, Punjab AAP president Aman Arora accused the BJP of accommodating leaders expelled by the party.
Explaining his decision, Pathanmajra said the BJP was a national party and Punjab could benefit significantly if it formed the government in the state. In a post on X, he said AAP had never hesitated to take action against leaders involved in corruption or working against Punjab’s interests. Earlier reporting noted: “The book Swaraj, around which the party was founded, is now left only with me,” he posted on X, referring to the resignations of two sitting MLAs, former minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, from the party.
Earlier reporting noted: The first-time MLA also recalled his contribution to building the party and then being ignored by the party leadership. Singh was suspended from the party for five years in June last year for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities. Confirming their decision to join the BJP, Pathanmajra said both leaders would be formally inducted into the party by BJP president Nitin Nabin in Delhi on Monday. Earlier reporting noted: AAP strayed from its founding ideals, says MLA Kunwar Vijay Suspended AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh on Sunday slammed AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that the party had strayed from its founding ideals.
