Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia held closed-door meetings with select leaders to address dissent over ticket distribution. While resolving internal differences was on the agenda, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in the state emerged as the primary concern among AAP leaders. The meeting was also attended by Adil Ahmed Khan and Bibhav Kumar.
Initially, most AAP MLAs, local leaders, and supporters were unclear about the purpose of the visit by the Chief Minister and Kejriwal.
“The major concern was the SIR exercise underway in the state. According to available data, nearly 1.5 crore votes may be struck off, and a fresh voter list may be prepared. Necessary instructions were therefore issued to the party cadre to remain vigilant,” said a leader requesting anonymity.
Neither AAP MLAs nor local party leaders were invited to any meeting with the visiting leaders. Instructions, sources said, would be conveyed through those who attended the deliberations.
One MLA remarked, “We know as much as you do, nothing more than that.”
Speaking to The Tribune, a local leader said even bureaucrats and senior police officials had been advised to focus on their routine responsibilities.
“The visit is being kept highly confidential. We were hoping the VIPs would call local leaders and MLAs, but nothing of the sort happened,” said an AAP leader.
One MLA said he had met the senior leaders when they arrived at the Halwara airport yesterday afternoon. “We are not aware of any developments after that,” the MLA added.
