AAP celebrates win amid criticism over bursting of firecrackers

The sudden death of Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ludhiana (West), on Saturday following an accidental firing from his own licensed pistol, was met with a strikingly contrasting response from party leaders in Jalandhar today.

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While AAP senior leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, visited Ludhiana to offer heartfelt condolences and support to the grieving family, the celebration-filled mayoral poll and oath-taking ceremony in the city failed to strike a sombre tone.

Vaneet Dhir was declared the new Mayor of Jalandhar, with Balbir Singh Bittu Dhillon as Senior Deputy Mayor and Malkeet Singh as Deputy Mayor. The announcement was met with celebrations including bursting of firecrackers. Dhol beats resounded through streets and slogans of “AAP Zindabad” echoed as party members marked the victory in the Municipal Corporation (MC) House.

Moreover, the event was marred by allegations of chaos and authoritarianism. Congress councillors accused the AAP of turning the event into an AAP-centric spectacle rather than a formal, inclusive mayoral election. They claimed that not one Congress councillor was administered his/her oath in the traditional manner, but was handed a pro forma to read, with AAP leaders pre-emptively announcing the newly elected councillors.

Further fuelling controversy, media access to the venue, Red Cross Bhawan, was restricted. Councillors were prohibited from carrying their mobile phones inside the bhawan premises. Congress leaders decried the move as unethical and undemocratic, while residents questioned AAP’s actions given the current environmental concerns.

Jalandhar’s already alarming AQI of over 300 was aggravated by bursting of loud firecrackers during celebrations, prompting residents to speak out against the insensitivity shown by the AAP.

“With AQI levels so high, AAP leaders choosing to burst firecrackers just shows their disregard for the environment,” one local resident said.

Pankaj Ahuja, another resident, commented on the Jalandhar Tribune’s live video, voicing frustration over the celebrations in the wake of the rising AQI and other environmental concerns.

Another local, Kamaljeet Kaur, raised further concerns, pointing out that it took AAP an-year-and-a-half to conduct the municipal elections, while the party only managed to get majority figure in the civic body House by allying with the Opposition candidates. “Why this celebration now?” she asked.