Chandigarh, July 19: In a major political development, singer-turned-politician and former Punjab Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Maan has resigned from the Punjab Legislative Assembly and announced her exit from politics. The 34-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Kharar made the announcement through social media on Saturday.
Taking to platforms X and Facebook, Maan wrote in Punjabi, “My heart is heavy, but I have decided to leave politics. My resignation from the post of MLA should be accepted by the Speaker. My best wishes are with the party. I hope the Punjab government will live up to the expectations of the people.”
She submitted her resignation to Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, requesting formal acceptance of her decision to step down.
Maan, who joined AAP in 2021, was elected from the Kharar Assembly constituency in the 2022 Punjab elections. She defeated Shiromani Akali Dal’s Ranjit Singh Gill by a massive margin of 37,718 votes. She served as Cabinet Minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led government, handling key portfolios such as tourism and culture, investment promotion, labour, and hospitality. However, she was dropped from the Cabinet during a reshuffle in September 2024.
Before entering politics, Anmol Gagan was a celebrated folk singer and performer, winning multiple national and international accolades. Some of her popular tracks include “Suit,” “Ghaint Purpose,” and “Sherni.” She hails from Mansa district and recently married advocate Shahbaaz Singh Sohi in June 2024.
Interestingly, her resignation comes a day after Ranjit Singh Gill—her 2022 electoral rival and close aide of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal—quit the Shiromani Akali Dal. Gill is reportedly considering joining either the BJP or AAP in the coming days, fueling speculation about political realignments in the region.
