‘Dictatorship, not true democracy’: Pargat Singh slams AAP over MLA Maiserkhana’s suspension‘ਤਾਨਾਸ਼ਾਹੀ, ਸੱਚਾ ਲੋਕਤੰਤਰ ਨਹੀਂ’: ਪਰਗਟ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਮਾਈਸਰਖਾਨਾ ਦੇ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ ਤੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਘੇਰਿਆ

Newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party over its suspension of Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, calling the move “dictatorship” and accusing the ruling party of punishing an MLA for speaking about ground realities.

“I call this a dictatorship; it is not a true democracy. Kejriwal is essentially a dictator because he refuses to agree with anyone who speaks about the ground reality,” Pargat Singh told the ANI news agency.

Maiserkhana was suspended from AAP’s primary membership for alleged “anti-party activities and indiscipline” after he publicly flagged teacher vacancies and poor conditions in government schools in his constituency. In an emotional video, the MLA said he had repeatedly urged the government to fill vacant posts so students could study properly.

“I am not fighting against schools; I am fighting for them. It is not just my children studying there; children from all over. I know what the situation is like in these schools; I could not tolerate it anymore,” Maiserkhana had said.

‘A facade of honesty’

Pargat Singh alleged that the AAP government’s claims of honesty, patriotism and reforms in education and healthcare were a “facade.” “The fact is, it is all a facade, a facade of honesty, a facade of patriotism, and a facade of having brought about revolutions in education and healthcare,” he said.

The remarks mark one of Pargat Singh’s first combative outings since taking over as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.

Attack over law and order

Pargat Singh also targeted the Mann government over Punjab’s law and order situation, pointing to two recent murders — a reference to the killings of influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar and former sarpanch Navtej Singh in Ludhiana.

“The real issue is a lack of leadership; there is no leadership within the police force, nor is there any political leadership. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann cannot shirk his responsibility,” he said, adding: “I do not think Punjab ever faced such conditions before. When the Congress government returns to power, you will see professionalism in the police force.”

Bajwa backs new leadership

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa backed the new state Congress leadership, saying the party was united and would contest the 2027 Assembly elections together. Bajwa said Congress would work with full vigour to form the government in Punjab in 2027.

After his appointment, Pargat Singh had said Punjab needed “meaningful politics, positive politics, and agenda-based politics,” focused on issues concerning the state.

Why was MLA Sukhveer Maiserkhana suspended?

AAP suspended Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana from its primary membership for alleged “anti-party activities and indiscipline” after he publicly raised concerns about teacher vacancies and basic facilities in government schools in his constituency. In a video, he said he had repeatedly urged the government to fill vacant posts and that he “could not tolerate it anymore.”

What did Pargat Singh say about AAP?

Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh called the suspension “dictatorship” and “not a true democracy,” saying “Kejriwal is essentially a dictator because he refuses to agree with anyone who speaks about the ground reality.” He also dismissed AAP’s claims on education and healthcare reforms as a “facade.”

What did he say on Punjab’s law and order?

Pargat Singh said Punjab faced a “lack of leadership” in both the police force and the political establishment, holding CM Bhagwant Mann responsible. Citing two recent murders, he said Punjab had never faced such conditions and promised “professionalism in the police force” if Congress returned to power.