The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab secured a decisive victory on Friday as a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was passed unanimously in the state Assembly, even as opposition parties stayed away from the proceedings.
Motion passed unanimously in absence of opposition
The confidence motion was cleared during a special one-day session of the Punjab Assembly. With opposition legislators either boycotting the session or staging a walkout, the motion was passed without resistance. Only Independent MLA Rana Inderpratap Singh was present from outside the ruling party benches when the motion was taken up.
The development comes at a politically sensitive time for the AAP, following the recent defection of several of its senior leaders.
CM dismisses rumours of instability
Addressing the House, Mann dismissed speculation about instability within the party, asserting that such rumours were misleading and intended to create confusion among the public. He maintained that the party remains strong and continues to expand its footprint across multiple states.
Mann highlighted the party’s presence in regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and Goa, and reiterated that the Punjab government is functioning effectively. He also reaffirmed loyalty to party leader Arvind Kejriwal, stating that the party was built through sustained effort and unity.
Political backdrop of recent defections
The confidence vote follows a major setback for AAP after seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha members defected and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The defectors cited ideological differences and alleged deviation from the party’s founding principles.
The merger was formally accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan, significantly reducing AAP’s strength in the Upper House.
Ruling party asserts unity and strength
During the session, several AAP legislators reaffirmed their commitment to the party. MLAs stated they would continue to stand firmly with the leadership, describing themselves as loyal members committed to the party’s vision and governance model.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who seconded the motion, criticised the central government, accusing it of targeting political opponents through investigative agencies. He also alleged that recent defections were influenced by political pressure.
Government highlights governance and development work
Members of the ruling party highlighted achievements of the state government, including welfare measures and infrastructure development. Minister Sanjeev Arora said the government had implemented several initiatives over the past four years, including free electricity for households and efforts to attract investment.
He noted that Punjab recorded investments worth Rs 60,256 crore in 2025–26, the highest in the state’s history.
With the confidence motion passed, the Mann-led government has sought to reinforce its stability and counter political uncertainty, projecting a message of unity amid recent challenges.
(With inputs from PTI)