JALANDHAR/BATHINDA: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) search for its chief ministerial face in Punjab is not yet over but party workers expect a decision soon. After the announcement following a meeting of party MLAs with AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, an aggressive campaign is on by MP and state unit president Bhagwant Mann’s supporters on social media. However, sources said Mann is angry with the party for not believing in him and has stopped political activities.
A common refrain in social media posts is Mann is AAP’s only option, not only due to his prominence and popularity but also because he worked hard for the party and without him, it can collapse in Punjab. Some posts suggest the party can form government in Punjab only if Mann is declared CM candidate. In a TV interview recently, AAP youth wing vice-president and Kharar constituency in-charge Anmol Gagan Mann said, “He (Mann) worked really hard for the party in Punjab and he should be the CM face.”
Speculation increased after Kejriwal announced that a Sikh would be CM face in Punjab. After the August 1 meeting, party supporters expected the announcement to be made this month. After AAP announced its CM face from Uttarakhand, the Punjab unit also wants central leadership to make public its choice as elections are due in both states in February 2022.
“In what direction the party’s campaign would go mainly depends on the announcement of CM face, especially after AAP made it clear that a CM face would be announced, unlike the 2017 elections. If party volunteers are anxious, Mann’s supporters in the last few days have been openly campaigning for his name,” said an old party activist. “While a lot would depend on how the party takes its campaign further and raises issues, the most crucial factor now would be the CM face. There are not many options,” said a local AAP leader.
Mann has been silent on the issue despite being vocal on other issues, including attacking other party leaders. Sources said the MP is angry over party hints of not announcing him as CM face and has stopped all political activities over the last few days. They said as Mann declined to attend a party meeting (rally) at Baba Bakala in Amritsar on the occasion of Rakhar Puniya on Sunday, the party decided not to go ahead with it. Even as many AAP volunteers claim they do not fear disciplinary action for starting a campaign in Mann’s support, AAP has suspended a youth leader from Zira in Ferozepur for writing against the leadership and in support of Mann.
Sandeep Singh from Gurthari village in Mansa said Mann’s contribution in getting the party to this level should not be overlooked and he should be made the CM face. “A campaign has started on social media for this. If Bhagwant Mann is not announced as the CM face, the campaign will be intensified,” he said. Mann’s NRI supporter with roots in Ludhiana, Sunny Rai claimed no other AAP leader had what “Bhagwant Mann has done for the party”. He added, “Despite all this if the party ignores him, it will not be acceptable. Hundreds of party volunteers and members are approaching me to intensify the campaign and we are of the view that we want to raise this campaign within the party for its benefit.” While Mann wasn’t available for comment, AAP general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat said, “Any decision to be taken is to be done by the political affairs committee and workers should wait for it.”
