Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
BJP, SAD demand EC action against Manish Sisodia over 2027 poll remark-All you know about the controversy
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 16, 2025: A political row has erupted in Punjab after a video surfaced of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia allegedly telling party workers to win the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections “by any means, fair or unfair.”
The remarks, made during an August 15 party event in Punjab, have triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), both of whom have petitioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) for stringent action.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jhakar, in a letter to the ECI, accused Sisodia of attempting to “undermine the election process” and warned that his statements indicate a readiness to misuse state machinery, intimidate voters, bribe the electorate, create communal divisions, and spread misinformation.
“Such a declaration on the day before Independence Day ridicules the values of peace, freedom, and integrity,” Jhakar wrote, quoting Sisodia’s words: “Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhoot, Sawal, Jawaab, Ladai, Jhagda — whatever we have to do, we will do.”
“These statements amount to an open admission of intent to adopt corrupt practices… threatening the peace, development, and prosperity of Punjab,” the letter added.
Jhakar urged the ECI to take action under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (BNS), and sought Sisodia’s disqualification from contesting elections under Section 8 of the RPA Act.
Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi also shared the viral clip on social media, calling it the “real truth of Aam Aadmi Party.”
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal went a step further, accusing Sisodia of “trying to incite fraternal bloodshed in Punjab” and demanding the cancellation of his bail in an ongoing corruption case.
“This is proof that AAP is going to vitiate the atmosphere of the state unless the Election Commission takes firm action,” Badal said.
He also urged the ECI to consider barring AAP from contesting the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, citing an alleged history of “sacrilege incidents” coinciding with AAP’s entry into the state in 2014.
Badal further claimed that AAP leaders had been linked to religious desecration incidents, including the conviction of former Delhi legislator Naresh Yadav in a Malerkotla sacrilege case, and demanded a central agency probe.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also lashed out, accusing AAP of plotting to “set Punjab on fire” for political gain.
“Punjab’s land is of service and sacrifice; there is no place for deceit and treachery here. The people of Punjab have recognised this conspiracy and will soon show them the door,” Chugh said.
The ECI has not yet issued a public response to these complaints. Punjab is scheduled to hold its next assembly elections in 2027, with AAP seeking to retain power after a recent setback in the Delhi polls.