Bhagwant Mann likely to be declared as AAP's CM face for upcoming Punjab polls: Sources

In a major political scoop from Punjab, Republic Media Network on Tuesday learnt that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is all set to anunce Bhagwant Mann as Chief Ministerial face for 2022 assembly polls. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal along with spokesperson Raghav Chaddha have time and again in run-up to elections said that CM face will be decided by political affairs committee but it will surely be someone who is "pride of Punjab". 

However, opposing parties claim that Bhagwant Mann being CM face of AAP is wrong information. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who recently switched from Shiromani Akali Dal to Bharatiya Janata Party in an exclusive conversation with Republic Media Network said that it was information being spread by Mann himself because he wants Kejriwal to do so.

" As far as Kejriwal is concerned, he will never anunce Bhagwant Mann as CM face because he is well aware that Punjab is a very independent state. Once Bhagwant Mann gets a chance to be re n body will listen to Kejriwal," Sirsa said, adding that AAP supremo was a very shrewd politician.

Meanwhile, with 7 lists released, AAP has named its candidates for 101 of assembly seats. Punjab assembly in total comprises 117 seats. 

AAP's prospects in 2022 polls 

In 2017 Punjab Assembly election, Congress won a whopping 77 seats in 117-member House, whereas Shiromani Akali Dal could win only 18 seats. On or hand, AAP emerged as second-largest party with 20 seats.

Hoping to win 2022 polls, Arvind Kejriwal has promised 300 units of free electricity, a waiver of outstanding electricity bills and uninterrupted round--clock electricity. AAP's or poll promises include free and quality healthcare for all, free medicines, tests and operations, free health cards for all 16,000 Pind clinics, construction of new world-class hospitals, free treatment of all road accident victims and Rs1,000 monthly payment to every adult woman. 

With lingering infighting of Congress, and SAD parting ways with BJP, a division of vote is expected. This could help AAP, and bolster its chances of winning polls.