AAP faces fresh setback as two Punjab MLAs defect after ticket denial

The Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab unit faced a damaging blow as two sitting MLAs announced their departure from the party on Tuesday, expressing frustration over their exclusion from the party's election ticket allocation. The resignations came within 24 hours of the AAP releasing its list of candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections, signaling internal dissatisfaction with the party leadership's decisions.

The departing legislators, both considered influential figures in their respective constituencies, cited the denial of tickets as the primary reason for their exit. Their decision to quit represents a setback for the AAP in Punjab, a state where the party has been working to consolidate its political position ahead of electoral contests.

The party's ticket distribution process has emerged as a contentious issue, with multiple senior leaders and sitting representatives expressing concerns about the selection criteria employed. The timing of the defections underscores the challenges AAP faces in managing internal party dynamics while preparing for electoral battles.

The development adds to AAP's recent troubles in Punjab, where the party has been grappling with organizational consolidation and leadership cohesion. Political analysts suggest that such defections can impact party morale and campaign momentum in the critical weeks leading up to elections.