Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cousin, Gian Singh Mann, joined the Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) on Monday, in a transfer seen as a setback for the Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) forward of the 2027 Meeting elections.

He joined the social gathering within the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar. After becoming a member of, Mann criticised the AAP authorities, alleging that the social gathering had grow to be a “Khaas Aadmi Social gathering” (social gathering for the elite) below Bhagwant Mann’s management.

Gian Singh Mann mentioned he had lengthy been related together with his cousin, supporting him since his days within the Individuals’s Social gathering of Punjab, by way of his tenure within the Lok Sabha and as much as changing into Chief Minister. Nevertheless, he claimed Punjab was now dealing with severe challenges, together with drug abuse, unemployment and corruption.

He alleged that the state was being run by leaders based mostly in Delhi, in an obvious reference to AAP nationwide convener Arvind Kejriwal and his shut aides. He added that solely the BJP had the potential to carry Punjab again on observe.

‘EVERYONE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE’

Whereas inducting one other chief, Bajinder Singh, into the social gathering, Jakhar took potshots on the AAP for utilizing businesses to raid companies whereas crying foul over ED and CBI raids in opposition to members of their social gathering.

“Singh, who runs a dhabha, was subjected to a GST raid orchestrated by the Punjab authorities. Whereas the AAP often talks in regards to the ED, they themselves went forward and ordered a GST raid on the dhabha,” he mentioned.

Jakhar alleged that AAP leaders have been concerned in hooliganism in Ludhiana and Amritsar, including that neither ED nor CBI investigations would cease and that “everybody can be held accountable.”

‘BJP GROWING RAPIDLY IN PUNJAB’

In the meantime, Saini mentioned the social gathering is “rising quickly in Punjab,” including that AAP nationwide convener Arvind Kejriwal had grow to be rattled after election leads to Assam and West Bengal.

The Haryana Chief Minister criticised his Punjab counterpart and his social gathering, alleging they have been “the very root of corruption”. He additionally claimed that AAP leaders had been seen “overtly flaunting bundles of money throughout ED raids.”

Evaluating the states on administrative efficiency, he added that whereas the seventh Pay Fee has been applied in Haryana, “even the sixth Pay Fee has not but been totally applied in Punjab.”

The newest political growth underscores the BJP’s efforts to increase its presence within the state forward of subsequent 12 months’s Meeting elections, because the AAP seeks to retain energy amid inner challenges inside the social gathering.

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