Public trust remains with AAP: Bhagwant Mann wins trust vote in Punjab Assembly

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Friday secured a unanimous victory in a Confidence Motion in the state Assembly, asserting its political stability amid claims of attempts to destabilise the ruling dispensation.

Positioning the outcome as a reaffirmation of public trust, Mann said the party's support base "remains intact" and would translate into a stronger mandate in 2027. He also described the Congress's absence from the House during the vote as "tacit support" for the motion.

"Public trust remains with AAP today, and it will continue with a massive mandate in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Congress not being present in House is also a form of supporting the government's Confidence Motion," he said.

A total of 88 AAP MLAs were present during the proceedings. Two legislators were abroad, two were in jail, and two others were hospitalised. Despite these absences, the motion was passed unanimously, highlighting the government's majority in the House.

Moving the motion, Mann accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation to create instability. He said the people of Punjab had repeatedly expressed confidence in his government and its policies, even as opposition parties failed to gain traction with what he termed "negative propaganda".

Targeting the opposition's internal divisions, Mann claimed its leadership was "in shambles" and engaged in infighting, contrasting it with what he described as AAP's unity and coordinated governance efforts.

"The opposition is completely in shambles, and their leadership is divided with leaders squabbling for power. The Leader of Opposition and his own brother live in the same house but have flags of different parties on it. The ruling AAP is fully united, with everyone making concerted efforts for the progress of Punjab," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister also used the occasion to launch a broader political attack, questioning the organisational strength of the BJP and alleging that it lacked a grassroots base. He further claimed that a significant number of its Members of Parliament (MPs) previously belonged to the Congress.

Mann reiterated AAP's ideological positioning, stating the party was built "with blood and sweat" and stood firmly with its national leadership, including Arvind Kejriwal. "We built the party with hard work and we stand by Arvind Kejriwal like a rock," the Punjab CM said.

Furthermore, Mann said that defections by a few leaders would not weaken the party, which he described as rooted in "people's trust".

Signalling a constitutional push, Mann said he would approach the President of India with a copy of the confidence motion along with all MLAs, seeking stricter anti-defection laws or a recall provision for elected representatives. He added that Punjab would be the first state to formally raise such a demand.

Raising concerns over democratic institutions, the Chief Minister alleged that central agencies such as the ED and CBI were being misused, and claimed that such actions undermined the Constitution envisioned by BR Ambedkar.

"AAP represents people's trust that cannot be broken. Institutions like the ED and CBI are being misused in ways that undermine the Constitution envisioned by Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said.

In the 117-seat Punjab Assembly, AAP holds a commanding majority with 94 legislators. The Congress has 16 MLAs, while the BSP has one, the SAD three, the BJP two, and there is one Independent member.

- Ends