Punjab BJP chief Jakhar: FIRs won't intimidate us, CM Mann must answer
Synopsis
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has gone on the offensive, alleging AAP's FIRs are a smokescreen to hide CM Mann's alleged Assembly misconduct. With a governor meeting planned and 2027 in sight, the BJP is framing every FIR as political vendetta — and betting Punjab voters are watching.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on 2 May said the party is not intimidated by FIRs filed by the AAP government.
He alleged CM Bhagwant Mann arrived in an inebriated state in the Assembly and is giving MLAs a free hand to indulge in corruption.
Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak , who recently joined AAP along with six other MPs , faces two FIRs in Punjab for non-bailable offences.
The BJP plans to raise the matter with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday .
Jakhar warned that Punjab voters will respond to these developments in the 2027 state elections .
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar on Saturday, 2 May declared that the party is not intimidated by First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging the legal actions are designed to divert attention from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's alleged conduct of arriving in an inebriated state in the state Assembly.
Jakhar's Core Allegations
Speaking to the media in Chandigarh, Jakhar said his bigger concern is what he described as the Chief Minister giving a free hand to his Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to indulge in corruption. He alleged that while BJP MPs are being harassed, the state government has extended police protection to its own MLA facing corruption charges — an MLA who has, according to Jakhar, previously been jailed.
Jakhar further claimed that individuals who were earlier praised by AAP leaders are now being targeted after joining the BJP, calling it evidence of double standards in the ruling party's conduct.
FIRs Against Sandeep Pathak — The Trigger
The BJP chief's remarks come in the wake of Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who last week switched loyalties and joined the AAP along with six other Members of Parliament, now facing legal challenges. Two FIRs have been registered against him in Punjab in connection with non-bailable offences. The BJP has characterised these FIRs as politically motivated retribution.
Meeting With Governor Kataria Planned
Jakhar announced that the state BJP will raise the issue with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during a scheduled meeting on Sunday, pressing for accountability from the AAP government. He cautioned officials against overstepping legal boundaries while carrying out such actions.
Eye on 2027 Punjab Elections
Reiterating that the BJP stands firmly with its leaders, Jakhar said the party will oppose any form of political vendetta. He asserted that public perception of the BJP in Punjab is shifting and that the party offers a credible leadership alternative. Jakhar added that the people of Punjab are closely observing developments and will deliver their verdict in the 2027 state elections.
Point of View
But the specific allegation about CM Mann's conduct in the Assembly is a sharper attack that AAP has yet to credibly rebut. The timing matters: with Sandeep Pathak's defection fresh and two non-bailable FIRs registered within days, the optics of selective legal action are difficult for AAP to dismiss. What this episode also reveals is the fragility of party loyalty in Punjab's political ecosystem. The 2027 elections are still two years away, but the BJP is clearly working to build a narrative of AAP overreach, and each FIR handed to a recent defector adds a brick to that wall.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar speaking out against AAP's FIRs?
Jakhar alleges the FIRs filed by the AAP government are politically motivated, aimed at intimidating BJP leaders and diverting attention from CM Bhagwant Mann's alleged misconduct in the Assembly. He has characterised the legal actions as political vendetta rather than genuine law enforcement.
Who is Sandeep Pathak and why is he facing FIRs in Punjab?
Sandeep Pathak is a Rajya Sabha MP who recently switched loyalties and joined the Aam Aadmi Party along with six other MPs. Two FIRs have been registered against him in Punjab in connection with non-bailable offences, which the BJP alleges are retaliatory in nature.
What is the BJP planning to do about the FIRs?
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has announced the party will meet Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday to press for accountability. He has also cautioned officials against overstepping legal boundaries while executing such actions.
What did Jakhar allege about CM Bhagwant Mann?
Jakhar alleged that CM Bhagwant Mann arrived in an inebriated state in the Punjab Assembly and has given his MLAs a free hand to indulge in corruption. He also alleged the state government extended police protection to an MLA facing corruption charges who had previously been jailed.
How does this connect to the 2027 Punjab elections?
Jakhar warned that the people of Punjab are closely watching these developments and will deliver their verdict in the 2027 state assembly elections. He asserted that the BJP's public perception in Punjab is improving and the party is positioning itself as a credible alternative to the AAP government.
