Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned the necessity of Kejriwal’s participation, arguing that his involvement blurred constitutional lines. Similarly, SAD leader Paramhans Singh Romana challenged the legitimacy of extending privileges such as a guard of honor to Kejriwal, who holds no formal administrative role in Punjab’s government. Both parties contend that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener’s actions set a troubling precedent for governance and protocol.
Photographs from the event, which showcased Kejriwal and Mann together at the forefront of the proceedings, further fueled the debate. Critics allege that these images highlight an unusual arrangement where Kejriwal wields influence over the Punjab administration. Sunil Jakhar, BJP Punjab president, linked the controversy to broader accusations of interference by AAP’s Delhi leadership in Punjab’s state affairs. Jakhar argued that such instances diminish the autonomy of the state government and undermine its credibility.
AAP, however, defended Kejriwal’s presence, claiming it demonstrated the party’s commitment to addressing Punjab’s challenges collaboratively. AAP representatives argued that Kejriwal’s role as the party’s convener inherently ties him to strategic decisions impacting all states governed by the party, including Punjab. Mann, speaking after the event, emphasized the administration’s progress in strengthening Punjab’s law enforcement and justified the appointments as a step toward improving security.
The BJP and SAD have used this incident to critique the AAP government’s management of Punjab, alleging that Kejriwal’s influence supersedes Mann’s authority as Chief Minister. Opposition leaders argue that such optics create governance confusion and raise questions about Punjab’s administrative independence.