The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suffered a major political setback in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Within just two days, three party MLAs resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, November 2, 2026. The developments have created fresh political challenges for the ruling party as it prepares for the next state elections. The three leaders who switched sides are Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra.
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh Resigns as MLA
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who represents Amritsar North and is a former IPS officer, announced his resignation from the Punjab Assembly on Monday. He sent his resignation to Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, stating that he was leaving his seat with effect from November 1, 2026. He had joined the AAP before the 2022 Assembly elections. However, differences between him and the Bhagwant Mann government had been growing for some time. He had repeatedly raised questions about the government's functioning and the party leadership.
Differences Over Bargari Case and Law and Order
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh had criticised the state government over delays in delivering justice in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case and related police firing incidents. In January 2023, he resigned as chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Government Assurances following differences over the investigation. He also raised concerns about drug abuse, crime, extortion and gangster activities in Punjab. In June 2025, he questioned the Vigilance Bureau's action against Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The AAP suspended him for five years in 2025, citing his public statements as anti-party activities.
Two More MLAs Resigned on Sunday
Before Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh's resignation, two other AAP legislators from Patiala district had quit the party on Sunday, November 1. They were Chetan Singh Jauramajra, MLA from Samana and a former minister in the Bhagwant Mann government, and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who represents Sanaur. Both leaders resigned from the primary membership of the AAP. Their decision came shortly after the party released its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Candidate List Comes Under Political Focus
The AAP's first candidate list did not include the Samana and Sanaur constituencies. This development has drawn attention because both seats are represented by the leaders who resigned. However, the available information does not establish that the candidate list was the reason behind their decision. Their exit has nevertheless raised questions about the party's internal situation at a time when election preparations are gaining momentum in Punjab.
All Three Leaders Join the BJP
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra joined the BJP on Monday. The exit of three sitting MLAs within two days is a significant development for the AAP, which is currently in power in Punjab. With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the BJP has gained three former AAP legislators, while the ruling party faces a fresh political challenge ahead of the electoral battle.
