Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann arrived in Patna on Monday, 18 May with family members and offered prayers at Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, one of Sikhism's most revered shrines. The visit came days after eight Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi, a development Mann described as a direct assault on democratic norms.

Prayers and the Religious Heritage Law

At the shrine, Mann offered prayers for the success of a special law enacted by his AAP government to strengthen the security of religious sites across Punjab. He reiterated that protecting the state's religious and cultural heritage remains a central commitment of his administration. The visit was accompanied by family members, lending it a personal dimension beyond the political optics.

Sharp Attack on BJP Over MP Poaching

Immediately after arriving in Patna, Mann launched a pointed offensive against the BJP, alleging that the party is actively attempting to engineer defections from AAP's parliamentary ranks. 'This is nothing but the murder of democracy. Parties should focus on development instead of buying MPs and MLAs or breaking other parties,' he said.

Mann confirmed he has filed a formal complaint with the President of India, characterising the alleged poaching as a serious threat to the country's democratic framework. The charge follows the high-profile exit of eight AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP, including Raghav Chhabbda, who had previously been considered among the closest aides of AAP's National Convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Electoral Roll Controversy in Bihar and West Bengal

Mann also weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and West Bengal, asserting that his government would not permit any irregularities in Punjab's voter lists. 'We will not permit the deletion of names of genuine voters from electoral rolls in Punjab under any circumstances,' he stated.

The SIR process has drawn criticism from opposition parties in several states, who allege it could be used to disenfranchise legitimate voters. Mann's remarks signal that Punjab intends to mount a vigilant watch over the process within its borders.

Punjab–Bihar Engagement on the Agenda

Beyond the political salvos, Mann is expected to participate in discussions on Punjab–Bihar relations and other contemporary political issues during his Patna stay. The bilateral engagement underscores the AAP's effort to build inter-state alliances and expand its national footprint ahead of future electoral cycles.

With AAP navigating turbulence over the MP defections and the BJP tightening its grip on opposition benches, Mann's Patna visit — part pilgrimage, part political messaging — signals that the party intends to fight back on multiple fronts.