Arora replaces Mann as Punjab AAP chief; Kalsi to be working president

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Friday named senior leader Aman Arora as the new president of its state unit. Arora, who is state’s New and Renewable Energy Minister, replaced CM Bhagwant Mann.

The announcement was made by Mann himself. The party also appointed Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi as its state working president.

Arora’s elevation as the state party chief was in the works for quite some time. The decision was taken at a meeting of the AAP Parliamentary Affairs Committee in Delhi on Thursday.

Bid to woo Hindu, urban voters

• A Hindu leader, Arora’s elevation is being seen as an attempt by AAP to woo Hindu and urban voters
• The first big challenge for both Arora and Kalsi will be the elections to civic bodies in December

A prominent Hindu leader, Arora’s appointment as the state chief is being seen as an attempt by AAP to woo Hindu and urban voters ahead of elections to the urban civic bodies in December. Since the Cabinet already has six Dalit ministers and a Jat Sikh as CM, party strategists were keen on bringing a Hindu face to the fore. Kalsi, the young MLA from Batala, had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha poll on party ticket earlier this year. His appointment as working president is being seen as the party’s attempt to promoting youth in leadership roles and maintaining regional balance by having a leader from Majha, where AAP has 17 MLAs.

The first big challenge for both Arora and Kalsi will be the upcoming civic elections. “We will first work on local challenges and strategise accordingly. I will restructure the party system where I will act as a bridge between the government and party workers and our electorate. My job will be to make voters aware of the works done by our government. Irrespective of the position of a party worker, I will reach out to all and ensure that their concerns are addressed,” Arora told The Tribune.

Being a prominent Hindu face, Arora’s appointment came at a time when the BJP is trying to make inroads into state politics by mobilising Hindu and non-Jat votes.

Mann had recently expressed his desire to step down as the state party president, citing his preoccupation with his duties as the CM. He had been holding the post since January 2019. Though the party had earlier experimented with appointing a working president (Principal Budh Ram) to work along with Mann, but this apparently didn’t work.

Arora, known for his organisational skills and his ability to carry people along, is a two-time MLA. He had won the 2022 state Assembly elections with the highest margin. He has been tasked with the responsibility of building the party cadre at the grassroots level, amid threats from a resurgent Congress and an overzealous BJP.