AAP suspends its MLA after he says govt schools lack teachers; Calls it, “Anti party activities”
AAP suspended Maur MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana on October 3 after he publicly raised concerns over teacher shortages in government schools. The party rejected his claims, saying he had made a false statement about staffing at a School of Eminence in Bathinda.
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suspended Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, its MLA from Maur in Bathinda, on October 3, 2026, accusing him of “anti-party activities and indiscipline”. The suspension order was issued by Punjab AAP general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suspended MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana. (Image: Deccan Herald)
The action came about an hour after Maiserkhana spoke about teacher shortages during a Facebook Live. The first-term MLA said he had repeatedly raised the issue with Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann but had not received a solution.
Maiserkhana said the shortage also affected the School of Eminence attended by his son. He claimed that the school's principal had asked his son to tell him to get vacant teaching posts filled.
His children study in government schools
Maiserkhana won the Maur Assembly seat in 2022 by more than 35,000 votes. He had earlier drawn attention for sending both his children to government schools.
An Indian Express investigation in March 2026 found that among 36 Punjab MLAs with school-going children during the 2025-26 academic year, Maiserkhana was the only one whose children were enrolled in government schools.
His son, then studying in Class 7, attends the government School of Eminence in Ram Nagar near Maur. His daughter, then in Class 4, studies at the Government Primary School in Maiserkhana village.
Maiserkhana had earlier said, “If we won’t admit our own children in government schools, how can we convince the people to do that?” He also claimed that around 50 families had subsequently shifted their children to government schools.
AAP rejects his claims
AAP rejected the MLA's allegations and said he had attempted to defame the party by falsely claiming that only one teacher was available at the Bathinda School of Eminence.
The party cited a record issued by the school's principal on September 29. According to the record, the school has 30 sanctioned teaching posts, of which 25 are filled. These include one principal, seven lecturers, 15 master-cadre teachers and two computer-science teachers.
The school has around 580 students studying in Classes 6 to 12 across 19 sections.
AAP said Maiserkhana's remarks amounted to indiscipline and suspended him from the party with immediate effect, removing his primary membership.
BJP targets Punjab government
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu circulated Maiserkhana's video and used it to target the Punjab government over its education claims.
The controversy comes amid AAP's continued emphasis on improving government schools under its “Sikhya Kranti” initiative. Maiserkhana's case has now brought attention to both teacher availability in government schools and the party's response to public criticism from its own legislators.