Amritsar: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers staged a protest outside the residence of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh in Amritsar on Tuesday, targeting the BJP over three of its Delhi MPs visiting the residence of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar after his death.The BJP MPs — Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Yogender Chandolia — had visited Kumar's residence to offer condolences to his family. Kumar, a former Congress leader, died on August 20 while serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.The visits have triggered political criticism because of Kumar's conviction and his association with the 1984 violence.

AAP questions BJP's position

AAP MLA Ajay Gupta, who led the Amritsar protest, questioned the BJP's position on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and demanded that the party clarify whether it stood with the victims or with those convicted in cases related to the violence.AAP has also demanded disciplinary action against the three BJP MPs. The controversy has now extended beyond Delhi, with the party using the issue to target the BJP in Punjab.

BJP leadership had already expressed displeasure

The BJP has itself distanced its leadership from the MPs' decision.BJP president Nitin Nabin expressed displeasure over the three MPs visiting Kumar's residence, according to reports. The MPs were subsequently reprimanded over the decision.Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon also described the visit as “painful and unfortunate”, adding to the criticism within the party and from Sikh organisations.The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has separately condemned the visits and called for strict disciplinary action against the three MPs.

Police deploy around 100 personnel

Punjab Police deployed a substantial security contingent outside Chugh's residence as AAP workers gathered for the demonstration.ADCP Harpal Singh said around 100 police personnel were deployed, with the operation supervised by senior officers including the DCP (Law and Order), three SPs, three ADCPs and four ACPs.Police said their priority was to maintain law and order and warned that action would be taken if the situation deteriorated.

Sajjan Kumar's death has triggered fresh political row

Sajjan Kumar died on August 20 while serving a life sentence after being convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. His death was followed by condolence messages and visits from political leaders, triggering criticism from rival parties and Sikh organisations.The controversy has involved both the BJP and Congress, with political parties questioning how leaders should respond to Kumar's legacy and conviction.The latest protest in Amritsar adds a Punjab dimension to the dispute, with AAP seeking to put the BJP on the defensive over the actions of its three MPs.

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha is reportedly among the frontrunners for a ministerial position in the Narendra Modi-led Union government as the BJP is believed to be considering a Cabinet reshuffle. Alongside Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), and senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh are also being viewed as possible contenders for representation from Punjab.

The speculation comes after the Rajya Sabha tenure of Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu ended on June 21. Under constitutional provisions, a minister who is not a Member of Parliament can continue in office for only six months, meaning Bittu would need to secure parliamentary membership by December or vacate the post. This has triggered discussions over who could represent Punjab in the Union Cabinet if changes are made.

Although there has been no official announcement from the BJP or the Union government, political circles have been abuzz with reports that a Cabinet expansion or reshuffle could take place in the coming days. The speculation gained further momentum after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu, though the meeting's agenda has not been officially linked to any Cabinet changes.

Raghav Chadha's name has attracted particular attention because of his recent political shift from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Once considered among AAP's most influential leaders in Punjab, Chadha played a key role during the party's sweeping victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where it secured 92 of the state's 117 Assembly seats.

During the initial years of the Bhagwant Mann-led government, Chadha was widely regarded as one of the party's principal strategists in Punjab. However, relations between him and the AAP leadership reportedly deteriorated over time. His eventual departure from the party marked one of the most significant political developments in Punjab in recent years.

According to reports, Chadha also played an important role in persuading several AAP parliamentarians to join the BJP, strengthening the ruling party's position while weakening its political rival. His organisational experience, communication skills and familiarity with Punjab's political landscape are believed to have enhanced his prospects within the BJP.

Political observers believe appointing Chadha as a Union minister could provide the BJP with a prominent face in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. His experience in urban constituencies and his ability to connect with professionals, entrepreneurs and business communities may help the party expand its support base in key cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

At the same time, his elevation could pose challenges for the Aam Aadmi Party. Having once been one of AAP's principal campaigners in Punjab, Chadha's criticism of his former party from a ministerial platform could influence political perceptions and potentially encourage more leaders to switch sides.

However, Chadha is not the only name under consideration. Ashok Mittal, who represents Punjab in the Rajya Sabha and is associated with the education sector through Lovely Professional University, is also viewed as a strong candidate. Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh, recently nominated to the Rajya Sabha, is another experienced leader whose organisational role within the party makes him a potential choice.

Despite the growing speculation, the BJP has not confirmed any names or indicated the timing of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Until an official announcement is made, the reports remain political speculation.

If a reshuffle takes place, Punjab's representation in the Union Council of Ministers is expected to be among the key issues closely watched by political observers.