Internal friction within Punjab's governing administration deepened after Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, the elected representative from the Amritsar North constituency, chose to tender his resignation. He formally forwarded his resignation letter directly to the assembly speaker. Prior to entering public life, Singh served in the Indian Police Service as an IPS officer, opting to leave his bureaucratic position right before the previous provincial elections to step into electoral politics under the party banner. His departure adds immediate pressure on the state leadership as factional challenges continue to mount.
Prior Exits by Two Lawmakers from Patiala District
Singh's resignation comes right on the heels of formal exit announcements by two representatives from Patiala district. Samana lawmaker Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Sanour representative Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra both severed their ties on Sunday by stepping down from primary party membership. These high-profile departures unfolded immediately after the leadership made public an initial slate of 40 nominees for the 2027 state legislative elections. Notably, the leadership had kept the tickets for both Samana and Sanour unannounced in that opening roster. While political circles continue to speculate about their potential entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party, neither representative has formally confirmed their next political move.
Sharp Criticism Over Governance and Community Issues
Addressing the press in Chandigarh, Chetan Singh Jouramajra raised several grievances against the administration led by Bhagwant Mann. He drew attention to the rampant drug menace across the state and referenced the murder of anti-drug campaigner Parwinder Singh Jhota. Jouramajra also condemned the government over the suicide of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Turbanjara village located in Sangrur district. Furthermore, he highlighted lingering farm grievances, pointing to unmet commitments regarding minimum support prices for agricultural crops along with significant teacher shortages across state-run schools.
Concerns Regarding Escalating Debt and Administrative Independence
Sanour legislator Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra directed his criticism at the mounting public debt accumulated by the provincial treasury. Pathanmajra alleged that key decisions within the Bhagwant Mann government are dictated by party leaders based in Delhi, leaving elected representatives within Punjab virtually powerless to manage local state affairs. When questioned about his imminent political destination, he indicated that his allegiance would lie strictly with any entity capable of serving the best interests of Punjab. Pathanmajra had previously voiced dissent regarding his own administration's conduct. He had also faced legal proceedings following a rape allegation lodged by a woman in Zirakpur, which led to his arrest by Punjab Police in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in March, after which the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him regular bail in May.
