Punjab Assembly Elections 2027: AAP releases first list of 40 candidates; CM Bhagwant Mann fielded from Dhuri

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) commenced its preparations for the elections in Punjab state assembly scheduled in 2027 by announcing its first list of 40 candidates on Saturday. As per the announced list, CM Bhagwant Mann is going to contest again from his Dhuri constituency while other candidates include Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan (Kotkapura) and Minister Sanjeev Arora (Ludhiana West) who is right now under judicial custody.

High-profile names and cabinet ministers on initial list

The nominees were finalized during a meeting of AAP Political Affairs Committee (PAC) convened at the residence of party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi.

The meeting was attended by Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Manish Sisodia (in-charge Punjab), and Finance Minister of Punjab Harpal Cheema.

The important names from the cabinet which made it to the first list of nominees are Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal (Ajnala), Balkar Singh (Kartarpur), and Jai Krishan Singh Rouri (Garhshankar).  

Key regional nominees

Kulwant Singh (S A S Nagar), Labh Singh Ugoke (Bhadaur), Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar (Amritsar South), Amansher Singh "Shery Kalsi" (Batala), and Harmeet Singh Sandhu (Tarn Taran) are some of the famous names included in the first list.

Additional nominations: Other featured candidates include Sarvan Singh Dhun (Khem Karan), Inderjit Kaur Mann (Nakodar), Karambir Singh Ghuman (Dasuya), Amandeep Kaur Arora (Moga), and Jasvir Singh Raja Gill (Urmar).  

Party leadership urges strong ground outreach

Following the rollout, AAP top leaders called on the declared candidates to launch comprehensive voter contact drives across their respective constituencies.

Arvind Kejriwal posted congratulations on X, extending his best wishes to all 40 declared candidates.  

"Congratulations to all 40 candidates announced by the Aam Aadmi Party for Punjab," stated AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a separate statement on X. "This is a responsibility to further strengthen the trust of the people. Go to every home, listen to people's concerns, and put your full strength into advancing Punjab. Bhagwant Mann again, for a prosperous Punjab!"  

Poll preparedness reviewed as state prepares for 2027 battle

The candidate announcement comes on the heels of an official review of election readiness conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

A high-level ECI delegation—led by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Pawan Kumar Sharma and Deputy Election Commissioner Bhanu Prakash Yeturu—met with all 23 District Election Officers, Commissioners of Police, and Senior Superintendents of Police in Punjab to inspect district-level administration and logistical security plans.

The AAP holds a strong majority in the state legislature, having won 92 out of 117 assembly seats in the 2022 elections.

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