Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Aman Arora has distanced the party from controversial remarks made by senior leader Manish Sisodia regarding the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Sisodia, while addressing party workers, had urged them to use all means of “Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed” to secure victory, a statement that quickly drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Responding to this, Arora clarified that the remark was Sisodia’s personal opinion and not reflective of the party’s official stance or ideology.
Arora emphasized that the AAP’s politics have always centered on development and public welfare rather than manipulative tactics. “I am part of the party, not the party itself. So, someone’s individual statement must not be seen as the party’s ideology. Our opponents are simply exaggerating things,” he said. He added that AAP leaders, whether it be the Chief Minister, the Mayor, or Sisodia himself, represent the party but do not singularly define it. According to Arora, the AAP’s approach to elections has always been to humbly seek the people’s support on the basis of its governance record.
He went on to stress that the video of Sisodia’s statement should not be mistaken for AAP’s philosophy. “This is not the ideology or thought of the party. Neither Arvind Kejriwal nor I approve of what was said,” Arora remarked, accusing political rivals of blowing the matter out of proportion. He reiterated that the party’s campaign in 2027 would remain focused on development issues and public trust.
The controversy, however, has already sparked strong political reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Sisodia of openly admitting that AAP would resort to corrupt and divisive tactics. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar argued in his complaint that Sisodia’s words amounted to an admission of intent to intimidate voters, spread falsehoods, create divisions, and disturb public order.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has also written to the Election Commission, demanding that AAP be derecognised. In his letter, Badal alleged that Sisodia had “incited” party workers to engage in corrupt and violent practices, pointing out that the controversial meeting had been attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and state AAP president Aman Arora.
The issue has therefore escalated into a major political row in Punjab, with opposition parties pressing the Election Commission to take strict action against Sisodia while the AAP leadership works to downplay the controversy and refocus attention on its governance record.
