Mann’s Home Turf Rejects Land Pooling: AAP Cracks Emerge
Even within Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s own constituency, resistance to Punjab’s ambitious land pooling policy is simmering. The discontent has spilled over into the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with a block president resigning in protest on August 5, 2025.
Farmers, joined by some former government officials, are openly criticising the scheme, despite its “voluntary” nature. They cite concerns over transparency and potential exploitation.
The escalating opposition has forced the state government to temporarily halt land acquisitions in smaller towns. Negotiations with protesting farmers are ongoing.
However, the pause offers only temporary respite. The long-term viability of the land pooling policy, a cornerstone of the state’s development plans, hangs precariously in the balance. This growing dissent within the ruling party’s own ranks raises serious questions about the government’s ability to implement its flagship projects and maintain social harmony in the state. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the policy’s fate and the impact on Punjab’s future.
