Mann, so far, had also maintained a cordial working relationship with the centre including Prime Minister Modi, and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. That is the natural course for a Chief Minister to adopt, particularly for the one heading a border state like Punjab.However, for the first time, Mann has decided to “boycott” the NITI Ayog meeting.

Even if the ruling party would not have won the Jalandhar West by-election, raising questions on Mann’s future was not quite convincing. Merely because the AAP did not perform well in the General Elections cannot be the sole criterion for reconsidering his role.

The by-election was necessitated after the sitting Aam Aadmi Party legislator Sheetal Angural defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party. It was strange and surprising as to what made Angural desert the ruling party and switch over to the BJP, which has just two MLAs in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.

While it was no doubt very important for him personally to win the Jalandhar West by-election, for the party at the national level this victory must have come as a fresh breeze and Mann deserves the credit for it. 

These are the most challenging times for Mann. He has led the party to a poor show winning just 3 of the 13 parliamentary segments in the 2024 General Elections.

For the first time, a Chief Minister in Punjab has decided to set up an alternate residence, which will consequently mean an office and senior officers around, away from the capital city. 

Punjab Police launched a targeted operation on Thursday, raiding the hideouts of 246 significant drug smugglers who are currently out on bail. These individuals, known as "big fish," were caught with 2 kg or more of contraband substances. This initiative is part of the police force's ongoing efforts to combat the drug menace in the state.

As per AAP's source, names for the forthcoming by-poll to Punjab's Jalandhar West Assembly will also be discussed.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slammed Shah over his remarks and said, "Do you have the courage to topple the government? We have 92 seats. They are threatening us. Are you coming (here) to seek votes or threaten to topple the government?" 

Compared to the 2022, the battle this time for Mann is tougher. IN 2022, he rode an anti-incumbency wave against the Congress and an overall disillusionment and alienation with the traditional political parties in Punjab. 

Sangrur remains a hot seat, since Chief Minister Mann will be more than keen to redeem what used to be his pocket borough. By fielding Sukhpal Singh Khaira, the Congress has not only posed a severe challenge but tried to hit him hard where it hurts the most.

The chief minister and AAP leader were to meet Kejriwal in prison today at 1 pm.