Chandigarh, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant organisational reshuffle ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has inducted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema into its Political Affairs Committee (PAC), while Punjab AAP president Aman Arora and two party MLAs have ceased to be members of the National Executive.
Mann and Cheema have been included in the 10-member PAC, the party’s top political decision-making body.
Mann was earlier associated with the PAC as a special invitee by virtue of being Punjab Chief Minister. His induction as a permanent member now gives him a formal position in the party’s highest political body as AAP prepares for another electoral battle in Punjab.
Former Delhi minister and AAP co-incharge for Punjab affairs Satyendar Jain has also been inducted into the PAC.
The changes extend to AAP’s 23-member National Executive, where the Punjab representation has undergone a notable churn.
Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, Jagraon MLA Saravjit Kaur Manuke and Talwandi Sabo MLA Baljinder Kaur are no longer part of the National Executive.
Rajbir Singh Ghuman, who serves as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Bibhav Kumar have been inducted into the National Executive.
The induction of Ghuman assumes significance as he works closely with the Punjab Chief Minister, while Bibhav Kumar has also been involved in organisational and administrative work connected with AAP.
Punjab Leadership Gets Bigger Role in PAC
The restructuring gives two of the most prominent members of the Punjab government — Mann and Cheema — direct representation in the party’s Political Affairs Committee.
The PAC plays a key role in major political and organisational decisions, including electoral strategy, campaign planning and other important party matters.
Mann’s transition from special invitee to permanent member could also facilitate closer coordination between the AAP government in Punjab and the party’s national leadership as preparations for the next Assembly election gather pace.
Cheema’s induction brings another senior Punjab Cabinet member into the party’s central decision-making structure.
At the same time, the removal of state party president Aman Arora, along with Manuke and Baljinder Kaur, from the National Executive marks a significant change in Punjab’s representation in the national body.
Punjab Crucial to AAP’s Political Strategy
Punjab has assumed even greater political importance for AAP after the party ceased to be in government in Delhi. It is now the principal large state governed by the party and remains central to AAP’s national political positioning.
AAP registered a sweeping victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, winning 92 of the 117 seats and forming the government under Bhagwant Mann.
The party will seek a second consecutive term in the forthcoming Assembly elections, with Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal and other political formations preparing to challenge the ruling party.
AAP will also have to defend its record in government amid Opposition attacks over issues including drugs, unemployment, law and order, employee demands and Punjab’s financial position.
The latest organisational changes place Mann directly within AAP’s central political planning structure at a time when Punjab is increasingly becoming the focus of the party’s electoral strategy.
FOLLOW NOW
