AAP Suspends MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh for Five Years Over Remarks on Majithia Arrest

National News: Punjab witnessed political turbulence as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took a bold step by suspending its own MLA and former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh for a period of five years. The suspension came in response to Kunwar's public questioning of the state vigilance bureau’s recent arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case. AAP deemed his remarks as indiscipline and acted swiftly.

The Trigger: Majithia’s Arrest and Kunwar’s Questions

On June 25, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Bikram Majithia, a prominent SAD leader, in connection with a long-pending case related to disproportionate assets. The case had seen little progress for years, but the sudden arrest raised eyebrows—especially that of AAP’s own MLA from Amritsar North, Kunwar Vijay Pratap.

In a bold statement, Kunwar questioned the timing and intent behind the action, asking:

“When Majithia was already jailed in the drugs case, why was the investigation into his assets kept on hold? Why has this arrest happened now—under what political pressure or strategy?”

His remarks quickly went viral across media platforms, sparking intense debate and placing the AAP leadership in an uncomfortable spotlight.

Suspension Finalized in AAP's PAC Meeting

The issue was discussed at length during a high-level meeting of AAP's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) held on Sunday. According to party sources, Kunwar’s remarks were seen as a direct challenge to the party’s official position and an act of internal defiance.

After deliberation, the PAC unanimously concluded that

• Kunwar's public comments violated party discipline
• The remarks had damaged the government's image
• They gave the opposition an opportunity to attack
• Publicly questioning the party’s internal strategies was unacceptable

On these grounds, the committee decided to suspend Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh from the party for five years.

Who is Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh?

Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh is a respected former IPS officer known for his work as a key member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that investigated high-profile cases of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Behbal Kalan police firing in Punjab.

In 2021, he was personally inducted into the Aam Aadmi Party by Arvind Kejriwal, who praised him as

“An honest and fearless officer—exactly the kind of person AAP needs.”

A year later, in 2022, Kunwar resigned from his IPS post, contested the Punjab Assembly elections from Amritsar North on an AAP ticket, and won.

Frequent Critic of Party's Silence on Key Issues

Since being elected, Kunwar has frequently distanced himself from the party line—particularly on the sensitive issue of religious sacrilege cases, where he consistently accused his own government of inaction.

According to him:

• AAP made strong pre-election promises on sacrilege justice
• After coming to power, the government took no decisive action
• CM Bhagwant Mann repeatedly ignored or sidestepped the matter

His consistent pressure on the government, both inside the Assembly and in public, often placed the party in a defensive position.

Kunwar's Defiant Response: "I Won’t Stay Silent."

Responding to his suspension, Kunwar issued a sharp statement:

“The questions I raised are in the interest of Punjab and its people. Be it Majithia or anyone else, the law must apply equally to all. No one can silence me.”

His words reflect defiance and determination, indicating that he may soon take a politically independent path or align with a new political platform in Punjab.

A Threat to AAP’s Internal Democracy?

This episode has raised broader concerns about freedom of expression within the Aam Aadmi Party. Observers and critics are questioning whether dissenting voices—even from within—are now being systematically silenced.

The message is clear: "Those who question the government or its decisions will face consequences." This incident raises the larger issue of internal democracy and tolerance for criticism within AAP.