Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Assembly elections, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann from Dhuri and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan from Kotkapura.
AAP is the first political party to announce its initial slate of candidates for the upcoming polls. The Election Commission has yet to announce the election schedule, with the process due to be completed by mid-March next year.
The party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which met under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, approved the candidacies of Mann and several other senior leaders and sitting legislators.
The announcement comes amid widespread protests following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota of Mansa. It also comes as Jalandhar hosts the Hero Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, drawing attention to sports promotion in the state.
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After releasing the list, Kejriwal congratulated the candidates and urged them to surpass the party’s 2022 electoral performance in 2027.
Mann said the PAC approved candidates who had received favorable public feedback. He described the early announcement as a reflection of the party’s preparations, transparency and confidence in the government’s record.
The party leadership said announcing candidates several months before the elections would give them more time to connect with voters and explain the government’s achievements during its current term. It also expressed confidence that AAP would return to power with a substantial majority.
Congratulating the candidates, Mann appealed to them and party workers to strengthen their engagement with communities.
“Let us connect even more strongly with the people at the grassroots level and continue the journey of progress towards ‘Rangla Punjab’ (a vibrant and prosperous Punjab),” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Mann said the party had held detailed discussions on candidate selection and based its decisions on public surveys. He expressed hope that all 40 candidates would win and said new faces would also receive opportunities.
Mann described AAP as a relatively young party and asserted that it faced no significant competition in the upcoming elections.
“We are releasing the list three to four months before the elections so that candidates have ample opportunity to reach out to the people and convey the government’s work. Congress remains in constant fear until the last minute, fearing a rebellion or an independent candidate. Therefore, Congress holds off announcing tickets until the last minute, but the Aam Aadmi Party has a different philosophy,” he said.
Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia urged candidates to build on the public’s trust through direct engagement.
“This is our responsibility to further strengthen the public’s trust. Go to every home, listen to the people, and use all your strength to move Punjab forward. Bhagwant Mann again for a prosperous Punjab,” Sisodia said.
