Sisodia’s ‘Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed’ remark triggers political storm in Punjab

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state in-charge Manish Sisodia has landed in controversy over remarks made during a workshop of the party’s women volunteers on Thursday evening, where he allegedly urged workers to use “all means” to win the 2027 Assembly elections.

Sisodia’s speech, captured on video and widely circulated online, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accuse him of promoting undemocratic and unethical election tactics.

In the viral clip, Sisodia is heard exhorting party workers in Hindi: “2027 Assembly election jeetne ke liye Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed, Sach, Jhooth, question, answer, ladai, jhagda jo bhi karna pada karenge. Bolo tayar hein. Josh se bolo.” The phrase “Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed” originates from the ancient Indian treatise Arthashastra, authored by Chanakya, a master strategist and adviser to emperor Chandragupta Maurya. It refers to a fourfold strategy -- persuasion, inducement, punishment and division -- used to achieve political and strategic goals.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP state unit president Aman Arora and other senior leaders were present at the workshop where the remarks were made. Opposition parties have condemned Sisodia’s statement as a blatant admission of intent to use unfair and unconstitutional means to retain power. The Aam Aadmi Party or Sisodia has not responded to the charges.

The BJP and the SAD have written to the Election Commission demanding registration of an FIR against Sisodia and his disqualification from contesting elections. BJP state president Sunil Jakhar, in a letter to the EC, alleged: “In the video, the AAP leader openly advocates winning elections ‘by hook or by crook’, promoting undemocratic methods and violating laws. The remarks mock the values of peace, freedom and integrity and clearly indicate AAP’s intention to undermine the democratic process.”

Jakhar urged the EC to take immediate cognisance, initiate a swift investigation and take strict legal action against Sisodia and the party.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said: “Sisodia’s call to win the elections at any cost reveals that it’s not just election strategy but a confession of intent to destroy democracy. For three and a half years, the AAP government has failed at all levels and now in desperation, they’re ready to destroy Punjab’s peace, democracy and law and order by openly asking party workers to use any kind of means to retain power.”

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said: “Sisodia’s statement has exposed how AAP has already prepared a vicious plan for 2027 after its dismal failure in governance. The statement by Sisodia, who has been camping in Punjab after being released on bail for his involvement in criminal cases, proves that Kejriwal and his Delhi-based goons are conspiring to spread unrest in Punjab.”

Congress state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote on X: “Sisodia is miserably mistaken about Punjab and Punjabis. If he believes that AAP can win by resorting to those tactics, he is living in a fool’s paradise. You can win over Punjabis with folded hands as you did in 2022 only to cheat and betray them later, but you can’t threaten and intimidate them. This is Punjab and not any other state. At the same time, I am grateful to you for revealing your intentions and exposing your designs.”

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also appealed to the EC to take action against Sisodia, stating, “Sisodia is trying to incite fraternal bloodshed in Punjab. His provocative utterances warrant cancellation of the bail granted to him in the corruption case. The EC must act swiftly.”