4 min readChandigarhApr 26, 2026 05:20 PM ISTAAP Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. (Express photo)They say ignorance is bliss. But not always, at least not for Punjab’s intelligence watchers. While seven AAP Rajya Sabha members executed a political vanishing act straight into the BJP’s embrace, the sleuths seemed to be perfecting the ancient art of napping. One almost expects a slow clap for the timing. It was impeccable, just not in the way anyone hoped.In a field where even a raised eyebrow is treated as actionable input, missing a full-scale defection is less an intelligence failure and more performance art. Perhaps the signals were too subtle after all. What are seven elected representatives switching sides, if not a minor, easily overlooked detail? The authorities, unsurprisingly, were not amused. The ensuing reprimand shattered any lingering notion that ignorance is bliss. The episode served as a cheeky reminder that ignorance is not always bliss. It is a career-limiting strategy best avoided by anyone fond of their job. Punjab has seen this before. During former chief minister Amarinder Singh’s tenure, a political coup brewed while the intelligence radar stayed conspicuously quiet.Betrayal stings. Sometimes it is more than the optics of who walked out; it is the unease about what they might know. For AAP, even speculation around senior leaders potentially drifting away raises uncomfortable questions. Figures like Raghav Chadha or Sandeep Pathak are not just public faces. They have been deeply embedded in how the party functions, its organisation, strategy, and decision-making. They were part of the inner circle, close enough to understand not just how the party ran, but also how it was funded.In politics, that kind of knowledge is power. It is not just about faces and numbers. It is also about the networks that keep the machine running. So when insiders leave, the real loss is not merely seats in the Rajya Sabha. It is the uncomfortable reality that people who once sat at the heart of the system carry with them a clear picture of how that system was sustained. That is the difference between losing players and losing the blueprint.From scooter to tempoPunjab politics has a way of turning metaphors into punchlines. When Bhagwant Mann recently took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party, calling it a “scooter party” with just two MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha, it sounded like a neat, cheeky jab. But politics, like traffic, has a habit of reversing without warning. Within days, the narrative seemed to flip gears. Five of six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab veered towards the BJP, leaving only Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal holding the party flag from Punjab in the Upper House.A BJP leader had a counterpunch: “If they were a scooter in Punjab’s Assembly, is AAP now a ‘cycle party’ in the Rajya Sabha?” And that the BJP’s scooter had run over the AAP’s tempo traveller, with 94 MLAs on board. The irony writes itself. When loyalties can shift so swiftly, today’s metaphor can become tomorrow’s meme. In politics, it is best not to underestimate any vehicle, two-wheeler or otherwise.Traitors?In politics, words change meaning depending on who is crossing the road. When seven Rajya Sabha MPs were seen drifting away from the AAP, the reaction was instant. From Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to party volunteers, one word echoed: gaddar (traitor). Walls spoke too. The houses of Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, and Rajinder Gupta were marked with the same label.Story continues below this adBut politics, like language, is selective. When the AAP welcomes leaders from other parties, the tone changes. Then they are inqalabis (agents of change), brave converts to a better idea. So what decides the label? Direction. If you walk into the party, you are a reformer. If you walk out, you are a traitor. As one leader put it, not without a hint of mischief, “How does the same journey produce two opposite meanings?”Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...