Anti-graft push

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in Punjab on the promise of eradicating corruption, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional parties tainted by graft. However, after its recent electoral setback in Delhi and corruption charges against its own leaders, the AAP now finds itself struggling to defend its moral high ground. The latest crackdown in Punjab — marked by the suspension of Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Tripathi and the dismissal of 52 police personnel — raises the question: is this a genuine purge or a desperate bid to reclaim lost credibility? The state government’s move to overhaul the Vigilance Bureau and remove its chief Varinder Kumar signals an attempt to tighten its grip on corruption investigations. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has emphasised his administration’s “zero tolerance” towards graft, warning officials to either act against corruption or face consequences. On paper, these actions reinforce the AAP’s commitment to clean governance.

However, the timing of this anti-corruption push cannot be overlooked. In Delhi, senior AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, have been jailed on corruption charges, leaving voters disillusioned. The party, which once prided itself on transparency, now faces allegations that its anti-corruption rhetoric is selectively applied. While it has been swift in targeting bureaucrats and lower-level officials in Punjab, it has struggled to counter Opposition attacks on its own tainted leadership in Delhi.

This contradiction has left voters wondering whether the AAP can truly deliver on its founding promise. If the party wants to restore public confidence, it must apply its anti-graft stance consistently, ensuring accountability within its own ranks as well. Otherwise, its claim of being a clean alternative may soon lose all credibility, turning its biggest strength into its greatest weakness.