Anmol Gagan Maan, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) MLA from Kharar and former state minister, has resigned from the Punjab Legislative Assembly and announced her exit from active politics. According to Hindustan Times, her decision, coming after months of speculation, is seen in political circles as a response to being repeatedly denied a ministerial portfolio despite previous cabinet experience and significant contributions to the party’s electoral success.
From Cabinet Rank to Political Margins
Maan, a well-known Punjabi singer before entering politics, joined AAP in 2020 and quickly became one of its most high-profile campaigners. She was elected to the Punjab assembly from Kharar in 2022 with a landslide victory and was initially entrusted with key portfolios, including tourism, culture, labour, and hospitality. Her energetic presence and cultural appeal were credited with drawing large youth turnouts and boosting AAP’s image during the high-stakes assembly polls.
However, after a cabinet reshuffle in September 2024, she was dropped from the Bhagwant Mann government. In the months that followed, she was never restored to the cabinet and, notably, was denied any ministerial role even as portfolios were allocated to several others, including some newly inducted legislators.
Growing Discontent and the Decision to Step Down
According to party insiders, Maan had expressed her frustration privately over being overlooked, feeling her past contributions were being ignored. Despite efforts to raise her profile in party events and a recent meeting with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, her hopes for ministerial rehabilitation remained unfulfilled. Sources indicate that her exclusion from all recent cabinet expansions and reassignments left her increasingly disillusioned with the party’s decision-making process.
In her resignation message, Maan stated, “My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation from the post of MLA to the Speaker should be accepted. My best wishes are with the party. I hope the Punjab government will live up to the expectations of the people.” She stopped short of publicly criticizing AAP leadership, but her abrupt announcement is widely viewed as a critique of the internal dynamics that left her sidelined.
Political Reactions: A Loss for AAP’s Youthful Appeal
Opposition leaders have quickly interpreted Maan’s resignation as evidence of unresolved turmoil within AAP Punjab. Congress and other rival parties highlighted that this isn’t the first high-profile exit from the ruling party in recent months. Analysts point out that her departure is a setback for AAP’s outreach, especially in the culturally vibrant Mohali and Kharar regions, where she was seen as a direct link to younger voters and the creative community.
For AAP, the episode raises uncomfortable questions about its management of internal talent, reward for loyalty, and the balance of power during cabinet appointments. The decision to keep an experienced and popular campaigner on the political sidelines is now under scrutiny, especially as the party prepares for upcoming elections and seeks to maintain its stronghold in Punjab.
The Road Ahead
With the Kharar seat now vacant, a by-election is on the horizon, adding new complexities to Punjab’s political landscape. Anmol Gagan Maan’s next plans remain unclear, but her departure has already shifted the conversation around AAP’s internal dynamics, ministerial selection, and the future of women leaders in state politics. As the party leadership holds urgent meetings in response, all eyes are on how AAP navigates this jolt and whether it can regain the confidence of its key supporters.
Photo Credit: HT
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