Bathinda: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday sparked political speculation in Punjab by claiming that the next Assembly elections could be held in November this year instead of the expected schedule in February.
Addressing a roadshow in Bathinda alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Kejriwal said he had received information indicating that the polls might be conducted earlier than anticipated. He told party workers and supporters that if the elections are advanced, only a few months remain for preparation and organisational mobilisation.
Kejriwal urged AAP workers to focus their efforts on ensuring Bhagwant Mann secures a second term as Chief Minister. He described Mann as one of the most honest Chief Ministers Punjab has witnessed and praised his government’s record over the past four years.
The former Delhi Chief Minister alleged that previous governments in Punjab had been associated with corruption and misuse of public funds, while claiming that no such allegations had surfaced against Mann, his family members or members of his cabinet.
Targeting the BJP-led Central Government, Kejriwal said central investigative agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had examined opposition leaders across the country. Despite that scrutiny, he claimed, no corruption charges had emerged against the Punjab Chief Minister.
Highlighting the AAP government’s initiatives, Kejriwal pointed to schemes such as free electricity and other welfare measures, saying they had been made possible through better financial management. He also reiterated that financial assistance for women would be introduced soon under the state government’s proposed welfare programmes.
Kejriwal said several development projects launched after AAP came to power in 2022 are still in progress and require continuity in governance for completion. He called upon party workers to intensify grassroots outreach and strengthen the organisation in anticipation of a potentially early electoral contest.
His remarks come amid growing political activity in Punjab, where major parties have already begun preparations for the next Assembly elections.
