AAP distances itself from Manish Sisodia’s ‘saam daam dand bhed’ remark to ‘win’ Punjab polls: ‘Not party’s ideology’

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia

Days after senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia’s remarks over winning 2027 Assembly polls went viral, the party’s Punjab unit president Aman Arora said the comment does not reflect the party’s ideology.

Sisodia recently drew criticism from the opposition parties in Punjab over his alleged ‘saam, daam, dand, bhed’ remarks over the upcoming polls. He reportedly said that the party would do whatever it takes to win the 2027 election.

The rival parties accused the former deputy chief minister of Delhi of advocating winning elections "by hook or by crook" and by "promoting undemocratic methods".

Arora, meanwhile, said they believe in seeking votes on the basis of their performance. “The video, which you are talking about, is not the party’s ideology. Arvind Kejriwal has always given a message that we will go to the public, knock on their doors and will seek votes on the basis of development works undertaken by the Bhagwant Mann government. Our policy is that we go to the court of people with folds hands,” he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

He also said that Sisodia’s comments have been projected out of context by the Opposition.

On being asked if AAP is distancing itself from Sisodia’s remarks, Arora said, “In individual capacity, I am saying that it is neither Kejriwal’s ideology nor the party’s ideology and perhaps Sisodia’s ideology as well. This thing has been blown out of context.”

The opposition leaders also posted a video clip on their social media handles, in which Sisodia is purportedly heard saying during AAP's women's wing leadership training programme on August 13 that “2027 ke chunav jitvane ke liye saam, daam, dand, bhed, sach, jhooth, question, answer, ladai, jhagra, jo karna padega, karenge. Taiyaar hain (To win the 2027 elections, we will do whatever it may take. Are you ready?)”.

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar wrote to the Election Commission, seeking action against the AAP leader in the matter.

These remarks mock the values of peace, freedom and integrity, clearly indicating the AAP's intention to "undermine" the democratic process, he alleged.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal also appealed to the EC to take action against Sisodia. Sisodia's remarks encourage AAP workers to indulge in "lies, false promises, illegal gratification of voters and even violence to win the 2027 Assembly elections", Badal said.