Punjab paper leak: Delhi Minister Sirsa demands Harjot Bains' resignation, hits AAP on double standards
Synopsis
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has turned AAP's own words against the party — citing Manish Sisodia's past demands that paper-leak ministers must quit — to press for Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains' resignation. With Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Bhagwant Mann all named, the attack strikes at the heart of AAP's accountability brand.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on 26 July demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over the alleged Punjab paper leak.
Sirsa cited Manish Sisodia's earlier stand that ministers must resign if a paper leak occurs under their watch.
He alleged that AAP leaders had themselves acknowledged accountability must be fixed, before going silent.
Question papers were allegedly sold for lakhs of rupees , according to reports.
Arvind Kejriwal , Manish Sisodia , and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann were all named by Sirsa for failing to act.
The Punjab government and AAP are yet to formally respond to the latest demands.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday, 26 July launched a pointed attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), demanding the immediate resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over the alleged paper leak controversy in Punjab. Sirsa accused the AAP leadership of hypocrisy, alleging the party had abandoned the very accountability standards it once championed.
What Sirsa Said
Speaking through a video post, Sirsa drew a direct line between AAP's past demands and its present silence. Manish Sisodia, he noted, had previously been emphatic that any paper leak must result in the concerned minister's resignation.
'The leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, especially Manish Sisodia, were very adamant that if a paper leak occurred, the concerned minister should resign,' Sirsa said.
He further alleged that AAP leaders had themselves conceded — when questioned in recent days — that accountability must be fixed over the Punjab paper leak, only to then shield Bains from consequences.
The Double-Standards Charge
'Yesterday and the day before, when AAP leaders were asked whether the minister should resign over the Punjab paper leak, they said he should resign. But today, this party, which does politics in the name of children and uses children for political drama, is not taking the resignation of its minister, Harjot Bains,' Sirsa alleged.
He accused the party of retreating into silence when pressed on a timeline for seeking Bains' exit. 'Yesterday, when they were asked when they would seek the resignation of their Punjab minister, they had no answer. It is shameful. They are dishonest, they mislead people, and they indulge in political drama,' he said.
Top AAP Leaders Named
Sirsa escalated his attack to target the party's top brass directly, naming AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for failing to act.
'Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and even Bhagwant Mann have failed to take the resignation of their minister. The future of children has been ruined, papers were allegedly sold for lakhs of rupees, and the Aam Aadmi Party, which is hanging a sword over the future of thousands of children, is shamelessly running away instead of seeking Harjot Bains' resignation,' he said.
Background and Political Context
The remarks come amid a widening political row over the alleged examination paper leak in Punjab, with opposition parties pressing for accountability and concrete action against those responsible. According to reports, question papers were allegedly sold for lakhs of rupees, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the state's examination system.
This is not the first time AAP has faced scrutiny over governance in Punjab since winning a landslide majority in 2022. Critics argue that the party, which built its identity on anti-corruption politics, faces a credibility test every time such allegations surface under its own watch. Notably, AAP's national profile remains closely tied to its education reform narrative — making a paper leak controversy particularly damaging optics.
What Comes Next
The Punjab government and AAP are yet to issue a formal response to Sirsa's latest salvo. Opposition pressure is likely to intensify as the controversy remains unresolved, with calls for an independent probe growing louder. Whether Harjot Singh Bains retains his portfolio will be closely watched in the coming days.
Point of View
The BJP has turned AAP's signature rhetoric into a liability. AAP built its national identity on the promise that it would hold power differently; every governance controversy in Punjab chips away at that foundation. The paper leak row is also a reminder that the party's education narrative — its most potent electoral asset — is now a double-edged sword. If the Punjab government does not act decisively and transparently, the credibility cost will extend well beyond one minister's portfolio.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Punjab paper leak controversy?
The Punjab paper leak controversy refers to allegations that examination question papers were leaked and reportedly sold for lakhs of rupees in Punjab, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the state's examination system. Opposition parties have demanded accountability and action against those responsible, with scrutiny falling on Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
Why is Delhi Minister Sirsa demanding Harjot Bains' resignation?
Sirsa argues that AAP — particularly Manish Sisodia — had previously insisted that any minister under whose watch a paper leak occurs must resign. He alleges the party is now shielding Bains despite that stated position, calling it a double standard. He also cited recent statements by AAP leaders who reportedly acknowledged the minister should quit, before the party went quiet.
Has AAP responded to the resignation demand?
As of the latest reports, the Punjab government and AAP have not issued a formal response to Sirsa's demand for Harjot Bains' resignation. The party has continued to face criticism from political rivals over its handling of the alleged paper leak.
Who else did Sirsa target in his attack?
Beyond Harjot Bains, Sirsa named AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing all three of failing to take responsibility for the alleged examination irregularities.
Why does this controversy matter for AAP?
AAP's political identity is closely tied to its education reform record and anti-corruption stance. A paper leak under its own Punjab government directly contradicts that narrative, making the controversy particularly damaging — especially as the party seeks to expand its national footprint.
