AAP Announces First Batch of Candidates for 2027 Polls
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its first list of candidates for the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on Saturday, naming 40 nominees who are all sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been fielded from the Dhuri constituency, where he previously won in 2022 by a margin of over 58,000 votes.
The announcement covers nearly 34% of the Assembly constituencies, with party leadership indicating that a second list is expected next week. In making the selections, CM Mann stated that candidates were chosen based on people's surveys and feedback regarding the performance of sitting MLAs. A senior AAP leader described the early announcement as a strategic move to put rival parties on the back foot, allowing the newly named nominees sufficient time to strengthen their grassroots networks before the election cycle intensifies.
Key Nominees Across Major Districts
The first list includes several prominent figures across key regions of Punjab. In Ludhiana, the party has announced candidates for all five Assembly constituencies. Daljit Singh Grewal has been named for Ludhiana East, while Kulwant Singh Sidhu will contest from Atam Nagar. Ashok Parashar retains his ticket from Ludhiana Central, and Madan Lal Bagga has been fielded from Ludhiana North.
In the Hoshiarpur district, the party has nominated Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Ishank Kumar Chabbewal, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, and Karambeer Singh Ghuman to contest from their respective seats. The list also features real estate baron Kulwant Singh, who secured a ticket from Mohali (S.A.S. Nagar).
Other notable names in the initial batch include Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar for Amritsar South, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal for Ajnala, Balkar Singh for Kartarpur, and Ajitpal Singh Kohli for Patiala. Additionally, jailed MLA Sanjeev Arora has been renominated from Ludhiana West, signaling the party's intent to retain its existing legislative strength in the upcoming polls.