Anmol Gagan Maan withdrew her resignation as AAP MLA after party intervention, sparking speculation of internal discord within Punjab’s ruling party ahead of 2027 polls.
Anmol Gagan Maan Withdraws Resignation After AAPs Intervention
CHANDIGARH: Taking a U-Turn in less than 24 hours the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Kharar Anmol Gagan Maan withdrew her resignation from the Punjab Assembly.
She took the decision just a day after declaring her exit from the active politics.
It is learnt that the reversal came following a crucial meeting with Punjab Cabinet Minister and AAP state president Aman Arora, reportedly managed to persuade her to reconsider, calling the decision to reject her resignation a “family decision.”
"Today,l had a meeting with our party resident @amanarorasunam ji. The decision by @AamAadmiParty and @ArvindKejriwal j to reject the resignation has been accepted", she shared a post on her account X.
However, the development triggered a political debate with the Opposition slamming the ruling AAP for what it termed a sign of “internal chaos.”
On Saturday, Anmol Gagan Maan, a 35-year-old former minister and popular Punjabi singer, stunned political observers by announcing her resignation as MLA and exit from politics.
In a heartfelt post on X in Punjabi, she wrote, “My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. I request the Speaker to accept my resignation.”
Sources confirmed that Maan had submitted her resignation to Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan weeks ago, but the party had been making repeated efforts to retain her.
However, the crisis was seemingly defused during a Sunday meeting at Arora’s residence.
"Today, I met AnmolGaganMann in a family-like atmosphere. I conveyed the party's decision to reject her resignation as MLA, which she accepted. We agreed to continue working together for the progress of the party and the constituency. Anmol has been, is, and will remain a part of the @ArvindKejriwal ji and @AamAadmiParty family.", Arora shared a post with Anmol on X.
Maan’s sudden resignation and equally sudden withdrawal have led to speculation of deep internal discord in AAP’s Punjab unit. Her departure came just four days after she praised party convener Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting on July 15, stating, “His dream of uplifting society always fills us with courage and inspiration.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that “AAP is collapsing brick by brick.” He linked Maan’s brief exit to recent party infighting, including the suspension of Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh in June over alleged anti-party activities.
Anmol originally from Mansa district of the state and had joined AAP in July 2020 and swiftly rose to prominence.
She won the Kharar seat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, defeating SAD’s Ranjit Singh Gill by a massive 37885-vote margin.
Soon after her elevation to the Bhagwant Mann cabinet in Juky 2022, She became a key face of AAP’s youth campaign as she was given important portfolios, including Tourism and Culture, Labour, Investment Promotion, and Grievance Redressal.
However, she was dropped from the cabinet in a reshuffle in September 2024, a move that, according to insiders, deeply affected her and played a role in her disillusionment.
She also faced controversy in September last year after accusing Mohali administration officials of demanding bribes in her name, indicating deeper frustrations within her political journey.
By persuading her, the AAP has managed to avoid a potential byelection in Kharar. The seat could have become the third such contest in Punjab, following vacancies in Tarn Taran after the death of Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal and Banga following the defection of SAD MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Sukhi to AAP.
While Maan’s return may have quelled immediate concerns within AAP, the episode has exposed fault lines that the party leadership will need to address ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
