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India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
How MLA Anmol Maan's resignation bares fault lines in AAP in Punjab
In a political twist that played out with speed, Punjab MLA Anmol Gagan Maan tendered her resignation from both the legislative assembly and active politics on July 19—only to withdraw it a day later after hurried intervention by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state chief Aman Arora was seen visiting Maan's home and hearing out her grievances. What began as an emotional exit quickly became a textbook case of damage control. But beneath the surface, the episode has exposed uncomfortable facts about the dynamics within the AAP government in Punjab and the party's broader leadership first glance, it seemed like a moment of personal anguish. Maan, a first-time MLA from Kharar and a former minister in the Bhagwant Mann cabinet, submitted her resignation letter to assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and posted on social media that she was quitting politics 'with a heavy heart'. The tone was emotional, but the implications were unmistakably had been dropped from the cabinet during a reshuffle in mid-2024. She had since maintained a relatively low public profile. Her resignation now as legislator, though sudden, had likely been simmering beneath the surface for months. That the AAP top brass acted within hours to contain the fallout says a great deal. AAP Punjab chief Arora met Maan in person, and soon after, it was announced that all 'misunderstandings' had been resolved. Her resignation was never accepted. The party presented a picture of unity and stability, but political observers were left asking: what exactly pushed a young, high-profile leader like Maan to what she did?Maan's political journey embodies both the promise and the pitfalls of AAP's rise in Punjab. A celebrated Punjabi folk singer before entering politics, she was one of the new faces recruited by the party to project youth, dynamism and a break from traditional power AAP swept to power in 2022 with a staggering 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly, Maan was rewarded with a cabinet berth, symbolising both gender representation and cultural relevance. But her removal less than two years on—without any clear public reasoning—left her disillusioned. According to party insiders, Maan felt marginalised, with no meaningful role or engagement in party affairs after her disenchantment is not an isolated case. Several first-time MLAs, particularly those from non-political backgrounds, have begun expressing quiet frustration at the widening disconnect between AAP's Punjab unit and the party's central leadership. Most major decisions, including cabinet portfolios, legislative strategy and even constituency-level resource allocation, are believed to be tightly controlled by the Delhi high command. What AAP once claimed was a decentralised, people-first party model now appears to be exhibiting the very top-down tendencies it used to criticise in this context, Maan's resignation takes on greater significance. It signals not just a personal grievance but a structural fault line. The fact that she went public, bypassing internal channels, shows a lack of faith in the party's ability to listen to dissent. That she was swiftly persuaded to withdraw indicates just how sensitive the party is to any sign of instability in its only full state government. Yet, instead of using the moment to address deeper issues—be it transparency in internal decision-making or a more democratic feedback culture—AAP chose to project control and is where the broader implications become clear. With less than two years to go for assembly elections, AAP in Punjab is beginning to show signs of strain. The euphoria of 2022 has faded. On the ground, governance challenges—from rising drug-related violence to farmers' unrest—have dented the party's aura of Opposition, long fragmented, is slowly regrouping. The Congress, under Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, is rebuilding its grassroots base. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), despite internal churn, remains influential in pockets. The BJP, while still peripheral in rural Punjab, is making steady inroads among urban and Dalit voters. Any sign of internal division within AAP offers ammunition to its real risk lies in the perception of instability. Maan may have retracted her resignation, but the episode has already seeded doubt among observers and voters about AAP's internal cohesion. Her public act of rebellion, however brief, may embolden others who feel similarly sidelined. In a party filled with first-time legislators with limited political experience, emotional exits like these can quickly spiral if not addressed with structural makes this episode especially striking is how AAP chose to frame it. There was no acknowledgment of Maan's grievances. No public conversation about why she felt alienated. No suggestion of introspection. Instead, the party line was that she had been 'emotionally overwhelmed' and that all is well again. It is a familiar script—one that many parties have used over the decades—but it's a far cry from the transparency and internal democracy AAP once promised to Maan, this is perhaps a second chance to re-engage. For AAP, it is a moment of reckoning. If it fails to take stock of the growing dissatisfaction within its ranks, especially among women, cultural icons, and grassroots leaders who were once its strength, it risks undermining the very foundations of its success in Punjab. The sheen of 2022 is no longer enough to carry the party through the end, the Maan episode is less about one MLA and more about the character of a party in power. Will AAP evolve into a genuinely participative political platform? Or will it harden into another high command-driven formation that rewards loyalty over leadership and control over communication? The answer to that question may determine not just AAP's fate in Punjab but its credibility across the to India Today Magazine- Ends
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
AAP collapsing, brick by brick… sooner than expected, says Punjab Congress' Warring
With Kharar MLA Anmol Gagan Mann saying that she has resigned from the Vidhan Sabha, the Opposition Congress said that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has started 'collapsing', while BJP termed the ruling AAP leader's move 'a betrayal and treachery against the five-year mandate given by the people'. Leading the attack the ruling party was Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring who said Maan was the second AAP legislator to be 'out of the party' in less than a month. The AAP on June 29 suspended Amritsar North MLA and former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh for five years for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities. 'The rate at which the MLAs have started to quit or are made to quit suggests that the party's countdown has begun sooner than we expected. The AAP is collapsing, and it is happening brick by brick,' said Warring. The Congress leader pointed out that only three days ago, Maan had met the party convener, Arvind Kejriwal and had said, 'his dream of uplifting society always fills us with courage and inspiration'. What happened to that 'courage and inspiration' within three days, Warring asked. Warring said if the AAP's own MLAs are feeling so much 'alienated' and 'disillusioned' that they are quitting the party, what would be the plight of the common man who does not have any privileges like those of the legislators? Observing that all is not well in the AAP, he pointed out, 'One MLA was suspended from the party and within less than a month another MLA has resigned, even saying to have quit politics'. 'While it, indeed, is the AAP's internal matter, but when a fire breaks out inside the house, the flames do get noticed far and wide and cannot be overlooked,' the Congress leader said. BJP leader Vineet Joshi said Maan's resignation as Kharar MLA is a 'betrayal and treachery' with the five-year mandate given by the people. Before her, MLA Kanwar Sandhu remained absent from the assembly constituency for four years, and now Anmol's resignation within three years of getting elected clearly shows that the AAP is repeatedly 'betraying' Kharar by fielding 'wrong' candidates, the BJP leader said. Joshi further said that Maan's tenure of three years and four months for the Kharar Assembly constituency was nothing short of a bad dream. 'The people of Kharar city, Kurali, New Chandigarh, Nayagaon Municipal Committee, and most villages were deprived of even seeing the face of their MLA, who was also a minister for some time,' he said in a statement. On the rare days she did venture out, JCB machines accompanied her, and people's shops and homes were demolished, he alleged. 'When the Punjab government tried to illegally and forcibly seize farmers' land in Jhajjheri, Maan was missing,' Joshi alleged. Similarly, when thousands of homes faced demolition in the Nayagaon municipality due to the expansion of the Eco-Sensitive Zone from 100 meters to three kilometers, Anmol remained silent initially, he added. Taking a dig, Joshi said, 'If you wanted to quit politics, why did you join in the first place?'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dropped from govt, AAP MLA quits politics
Anmol Gagan Maan CHANDIGARH: AAP MLA Anmol Gagan Maan, dropped from the Punjab cabinet a year ago, resigned from the assembly on Saturday and announced her exit from politics. Maan, who represented Kharar, made the announcement on X. "My heart is heavy but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation as MLA should be accepted by the Speaker. My best wishes are with the party. I hope Punjab govt will live up to people's expectations," she wrote in Punjabi. Maan earlier held tourism, investment promotion, and hospitality portfolios before being dropped in a reshuffle. While she hasn't cited reasons, AAP sources said she resigned days ago and was urged to reconsider.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Punjab: AAP legislator from Kharar Anmol Gagan Maan resigns as MLA
Last Updated: Chandigarh, Jul 19 (PTI) AAP leader Anmol Gagan Maan on Sunday resigned as a member of Punjab Assembly and said she has decided to leave politics. The MLA from Kharar constituency sent her resignation to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. 'My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation from the post of MLA to the Speaker should be accepted. 'My best wishes are with the party. I hope the Punjab government will live up to the expectations of the people," said Maan in a post in Punjabi on X. The singer-turned-politician was elected from the Kharar assembly seat in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls. She also became a minister and held the portfolios of tourism and culture, investment promotion, labour and hospitality. But last year, the Bhagwant Mann government dropped four ministers, including Maan, from the Cabinet. As a singer, she is known for songs like 'Suit', 'Ghaint Purpose' and 'Sherni'. PTI CHS VSD RT Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who is Anmol Gagan Maan? AAP MLA resigns from her party, also quits politics
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Anmol Gagan Maan on Saturday tendered her resignation from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and later announced her decision to quit politics, too. Maan sent her resignation to the Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, without giving any reasons behind her decision. In a message on X, Maan wrote in Punjabi, 'My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation from the post of MLA to the Speaker should be accepted. My best wishes are with the party. I hope the Punjab government will live up to the expectations of the people.' There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Party sources said Maan resigned a few days ago and the party had tried to persuade her to reconsider her decision, news agency PTI reported. According to a PTI report, the 35-year-old singer-turned-politician won her maiden election from the Kharar Assembly constituency in 2022. She had defeated Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Ranjit Sing Gill from the Kharar seat by a margin of 37,885 votes in the 2022 assembly polls. Hailing from Mansa district, Maan began her political career after the AAP in July 2020. According to her 2022 poll affidavit, Maan has studied till Class 12, the report said. Before taking a plunge into politics, Maan had made her name in the Punjabi music industry. She sang many songs like 'Suit', 'Ghaint Purpose', 'Sherni', 'Zamantan', 'Golden Girl', 'Royal Jatti', 'Red Fulkari' and 'Velly'. She later became AAP youth wing co-president and actively participated in the party's protest programmes and took on the then Congress regime before the assembly polls, the report said. She also sang a campaign song – 'Kejriwal hai' – for the Aam Aadmi Party before the 2022 assembly elections. Before the 2022 assembly polls, Maan had said that if AAP comes to power, the government would give the MSP on each crop 'within five minutes'. The opposition leaders used her video statement to target the AAP after it failed to fulfil the promise. She had accused administrative officers in Mohali of seeking bribes in her name in September 2024. She had levelled allegations against executive officers and tehsildars of Kharar of bringing disrespect to her. According to the PTI report, Maan also faced flak from her political rivals for the poor conditions of roads and the sewerage system at several places in her assembly constituency. She became a minister during the Bhagwant Mann government's first cabinet expansion in July 2022. She was among five MLAs who were given Cabinet berths. She was the second woman to become a cabinet minister in the Mann government. Her responsibilities included important portfolios like tourism and culture affairs, investment promotion, labour and removal of grievances, as report by PTI. However, the Bhagwant Mann government dropped four ministers, including Maan, from the Cabinet in September 2024. When she was a minister in June 2024, Maan tied the knot with advocate Shahbaaz Singh Sohi. They got married at a gurdwara in Mohali's Zirakpur with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several AAP leaders attended the ceremony.
