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Punjab AAP faces setback as two MLAs join BJP (Img: IANS)
Chandigarh: With the Punjab Assembly elections approaching, political activity in the state has intensified after two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs quit the party and joined the BJP. The ruling party is now preparing to seek the disqualification of Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from the state Assembly.
The AAP, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is expected to approach Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, seeking the termination of the membership of the two legislators.
Samana MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Sanaur MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra resigned from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday. Their exit has dealt a political blow to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
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The party, under the leadership of National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, maintains that both legislators were involved in anti-party activities and had already been suspended.
Following their resignation, the AAP is preparing to raise the issue of their disqualification before the Assembly Speaker.
The development comes days after the AAP released its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. However, the list did not feature candidates for the Samana and Sanaur constituencies, represented by Jouramajra and Pathanmajra, respectively.
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A day after the list was announced, both legislators declared their decision to leave the AAP. They subsequently joined the BJP on Monday.
Pathanmajra said he was pleased with the welcome he received from the BJP and expressed hope that the party would address the concerns he had raised.
“I consider myself fortunate that they welcomed me into the party and assured me that they would resolve all the issues we have raised. They also said they would help us deal with the problem of flooding and address the needs of the industry.”
Delhi: AAP rebel leader Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, on joining the BJP, says, “I consider myself fortunate that they welcomed me into the party and assured me that they would resolve all the issues we have raised. They also said they would help us deal with the problem of flooding and address the needs of the industry.”
— IANS (@ians_india) November 2, 2026
All eyes are now on the Punjab Assembly Speaker, whose decision will be crucial in determining the political future of the two MLAs.
Resigning from the primary membership of a political party does not automatically lead to the termination of an MLA's membership of the Assembly.
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The matter will therefore be examined under the anti-defection law and the relevant constitutional provisions. The Speaker's decision will determine whether the two legislators can continue as members of the Punjab Assembly.
The developments have added to the political uncertainty in Punjab, with the controversy expected to intensify in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections.
