NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dismissed rumours of a rift within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following a recent meeting with party chief Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. The meeting came just days after AAP's crushing defeat in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious, and Congress failed to win a single seat.

Mann, who was accompanied by AAP's Punjab MLAs and MPs, emphasized that there is no truth to speculation about internal conflicts within the party. He responded to claims made by Congress leader Pratap Bajwa, who had alleged that 30 AAP MLAs from Punjab were in touch with Congress, stating, "Let Congress say what it wants to." Mann further asserted that Congress leaders have a history of switching parties, while AAP leaders remain loyal to the party’s cause and ideology.

Mann also took a jibe at Bajwa, saying that he has been making similar claims for the past three years and can continue to do so. He quipped, "I would ask Pratap Singh Bajwa to count how many MLAs they have in Delhi."

The Chief Minister highlighted AAP’s achievements and its commitment to public welfare, stressing that the party was built on a foundation of hard work. He also addressed the reasons behind AAP’s loss in the Delhi elections, noting that the party had to file multiple complaints with the Election Commission against unfair practices during the campaign.

Regarding the meeting with Kejriwal, Mann described it as a routine strategy session. He assured that the party remains united and focused on its goals, stating, "We will all work together and use Delhi's experience in Punjab. The meeting was held today to decide that, in the coming two years, we will make Punjab a model that the whole nation will look up to."

According to those who attended the meeting, Kejriwal told Punjab AAP leaders Delhi poll defeat was not end of the road and the party will now focus on giving better governance in Punjab exhorting all the leaders to stay united, and go to the people to learn their aspirations which will have to be fulfilled. Kejriwal has also told the leaders that he along with senior leaders like Manish Sisodia will be spending more time in Punjab and guide the team to do better work.