AAP Releases First List For Punjab Assembly Elections
Includes 40 Candidates; CM Mann To Contest From Dhuri
Amidst preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the AAP has released its first list of candidates, featuring 40 names. Notably, the list does not include any cabinet ministers. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia announced the names during a press conference in Delhi. Prior to this, the list was finalized during a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee held at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in Delhi.
The release of this first list has sparked intense discussion regarding the Aam Aadmi Party’s ticket-distribution strategy for the Punjab elections. There has already been speculation that the party might deny tickets to 30–40 of its incumbent MLAs.
In this context, the first list of 40 candidates is being viewed as a significant indicator of this strategy. However, with no cabinet ministers included, the status of their respective constituencies and their candidacies remains unclear.
Batala : Amansher Singh (Shery Kalsi)
Ajnala : Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal
Amritsar South : Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar
Tarn Taran : Harmeet Singh Sandhu
Khemkaran : Sarwan Singh Dhun
Nakodar : Inderjit Kaur Mann
Kartarpur : Balkar Singh
Dasuya : Karambir Singh Ghumman
Urmar : Jasvir Singh Raja Gill
Hoshiarpur : Brahm Shankar Sharma (Jimpa)
Chabbewal : Ishank Kumar Chabbewal
Garhshankar : Jai Krishan Singh Rouri
Balachaur : Santosh Kataria
Rupnagar : Dinesh Chadha
S.A.S. Mohali (City) : Kulwant Singh
Fatehgarh Sahib : Lakhbir Singh Rai
Amloh : Gurinder Singh ‘Gary’ Waraich
Samrala : Jagtar Singh Dialpura
Ludhiana East : Daljit Singh Grewal (Bhola)
Atam Nagar : Kulwant Singh Sidhu
Ludhiana Central : Ashok Parashar ‘Pappi’
Ludhiana West : Sanjeev Arora
Ludhiana North : Chaudhary Madan Lal Bagga
Payal : Manwinder Singh Giaspura
Nihal Singh Wala : Manjit Singh Bilaspur
Bagha Purana : Amritpal Singh Sukhanand
Moga : Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora
Dharamkot : Davinderjit Singh ‘Ladi’ Dhos
Jalalabad : Jagdeep Kamboj ‘Goldy’
Fazilka : Narinderpal Singh Sawna
Muktsar : Jagdeep Singh ‘Kaka’ Brar
Kotkapura : Kultar Singh Sandhwan
Jaito : Amolak Singh
Talwandi Sabo : Baljinder Kaur
Sardulgarh : Gurpreet Singh Banawali
Bhadaur : Labh Singh Ugoke
Mehal Kalan : Kulwant Singh Pandori
Amargarh : Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra
Dhuri : Bhagwant Mann
Patiala : Ajitpal Singh Kohli
Focus Shifts To The Next List For Names Of Ministers
The absence of cabinet ministers in the first list has sparked various questions within political circles. Has the party deferred the decision regarding tickets for ministers until the next list, or is there an ongoing deliberation about introducing new faces in their respective constituencies? All eyes will now be on the next list to see which ministers and incumbent MLAs are included.
Speculation Surrounding The Dropping Of 30–40 Mlas
There has been ongoing speculation within the party that 30 to 40 incumbent MLAs might be denied tickets. In this context, the first list will provide an indication of how many sitting MLAs the party continues to trust, and in how many constituencies it chooses to field new faces. In assembly constituencies where new constituency in-charges have been appointed alongside incumbent MLAs, there is considerable curiosity regarding the selection of candidates.
The Strategy Behind Announcing Candidates Early
The party’s strategy in making the names of candidates public before the announcement of the election schedule is to provide them with ample time for campaigning.
This will allow the candidates to become active in their respective assembly constituencies well in advance and build rapport with local party workers. Furthermore, it gives the party time to address any grievances from leaders who may not receive a ticket, and to assign them alternative responsibilities within the organization.
By announcing 40 candidates ahead of the elections for Punjab’s 117 assembly seats, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken its first major step in its electoral preparations. All eyes will now be on the next list, specifically regarding the decisions concerning cabinet ministers, incumbent MLAs, and new faces.
