Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann declared that the party will contest all 13 seats in the state independently, ruling out an alliance with the Congress.

This stance adds complexity to the INDIA bloc’s aspirations for central power. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader, had previously announced the party’s decision to contest alone in the state during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections while remaining part of the INDIA bloc.