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Chandigarh: Punjab is already battling one of the worst floods since 1988, and now the crisis has taken a political turn. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who has been touring flood-ravaged districts and personally supervising rescue and relief work for over a week, has reportedly fallen ill. A senior official from the CMO confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying further details on his condition are awaited.

In the meantime, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stepped in. Kejriwal, who arrived in Punjab late Wednesday to assess the situation, visited Mann’s official residence Thursday to inquire about his health. Party insiders say Kejriwal will now take over the overall supervision of flood-relief efforts until Mann recovers.

Political and Administrative Significance

With large parts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Fazilka and Ferozepur still reeling under water, the presence of the AAP’s national face is being seen as both a political necessity and a damage-control exercise. On one hand, the opposition Congress and BJP have already launched aggressive tours of flood-hit villages. Rahul Gandhi’s visit is being finalised, while Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is in Punjab with BJP state president Sunil Jakhar. On the other hand, AAP does not want to leave any perception vacuum at a time when flood management is being seen as a test of governance capacity. By stepping in, Kejriwal not only ensures continuity in relief work but also projects himself as the ultimate troubleshooter within the party.

AAP’s Dual Stakes

The political stakes are high. The AAP government in Punjab faces assembly elections in February 2027. Still, floods have brought governance and crisis management under national scrutiny much earlier. For Mann, who has been the face of the government’s “on-ground” image, the illness could be a temporary setback. But for Keriwal, this is an opportunity to showcase the Delhi model of emergency management in Punjab. Reassure flood-affected families of direct central party leadership involvement. Counter the narrative being built by Congress and the BJP that “Punjab is being left to fend for itself.”

Opposition’s Likely Response

Opposition leaders are expected to question why the CM was “overstretched” and whether AAP is trying to centralise Punjab’s governance in Kejriwal’s hands. Shiromani Akali Dal has already accused AAP of “Delhi interference,” and Congress leaders argue that “Punjab’s elected CM must not be sidelined.” Yet, with 30 deaths reported so far, 3.5 lakh people affected, and crops over 4 lakh acres under water, the immediate focus remains on relief rather than politics — at least for now. A senior AAP leader said, “The CM’s health is our priority. But Punjab is not left alone. Arvind ji himself will oversee the situation until Mann sahib is back on duty.”