Punjab polls 2027: AAP drops several sitting MLAs, replaces minister Gurmeet Khuddian in second list

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, dropping several sitting MLAs, including a Cabinet minister, and fielding new faces in multiple constituencies.

The list was finalised after discussions at a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), where members considered feedback received through surveys. According to the party, deliberations on candidate selection continued throughout the day.

"Today, there was a discussion on tickets for the Punjab elections in the PAC meeting. The feedback received in the survey reports was deliberated upon throughout the day," AAP said in a statement.

The list, issued by AAP National Secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta, includes candidates from the Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions. It also signals changes in several constituencies currently represented by sitting party MLAs.

In Amritsar North, AAP has fielded Karamjit Singh Rintu in place of Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who recently joined the BJP and resigned as a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. In Patti, former minister and sitting MLA Laljit Singh Bhullar has been replaced by Jaskanwar Singh Gill, popularly known as Jassa Patti.

The party has nominated Nitin Kohli from Jalandhar Central, replacing sitting MLA Raman Arora. In Chamkaur Sahib, Jasvir Singh Garhi, who joined AAP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), will contest in place of sitting MLA Charanjit Singh.

In Kharar, former minister and sitting MLA Anmol Gagan Mann has been replaced by Parminder Singh Goldy. AAP has also dropped Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian from Lambi and fielded his relative, Randhir Singh Dhira Khuddian, instead.

In Bathinda Rural, Gopal Singh has been nominated in place of sitting MLA Amit Rattan, while Vaninder Kaur Loomba will contest from Shutrana, replacing Kulwant Singh Bazigar.

Other candidates named in the list include Swaran S Salaria from Sujanpur, Rohit Syal from Pathankot, Raman Bahl from Gurdaspur, Shamsher Singh from Dina Nagar and Guriqbal Singh Mahal from Qadian.

Harjobanjit Singh Randhawa, also known as Joban Randhawa, has been fielded from Fatehgarh Churian, Sonia Mann from Raja Sansi, Talbir Singh Gill from Majitha and Advocate Harsimran Singh from Bholath. Davinder Pal Singh Ranga will contest from Kapurthala, Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal from Phagwara, Harjot Kaur Lohtia from Phillaur, Balvir Singh Pala Jalalpur from Shahkot, Vaneet Dhir from Jalandhar North, Deepak Bali from Jalandhar Cantt and Pawan Kumar Tinu from Adampur.

The remaining candidates are Sarabjot Singh Saabi from Mukerian, Robby Kang from Nawan Shahr, Dr KNS Kang from Dakha, Saravjit Kaur Manuke from Jagraon, Dr Suhani Doda from Abohar and Amandeep Singh 'Goldy' Musafir from Balluana. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has been nominated from Barnala.

The announcement, dated November 12, 2026, was signed by AAP National Secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta.

With this second list of 31 candidates, AAP has announced its nominees for 62 of the 117 seats in the Punjab Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections. The latest list reflects significant changes in the party’s candidate selection, with several sitting MLAs and a serving Cabinet minister being replaced.

(With ANI inputs)