AAP releases first list of 40 candidates for 2027 Punjab polls, Bhagwant Mann to contest from Dhuri

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will seek re-election from Dhuri in the 2027 Assembly polls, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its first list of 40 candidates for the upcoming elections. The party said its selections were based on public surveys and feedback, with a mix of experienced leaders and new faces.

Mann confirmed that he would contest from Dhuri, the constituency he won convincingly in the 2022 Assembly elections. He had defeated Congress candidate Dalvir Singh Khangura by 58,206 votes, before taking oath as Punjab's 17th Chief Minister following the AAP's victory in the state.

Addressing the media after a party meeting, Mann said the candidates had been selected after detailed discussions and an assessment of public opinion.

“Based on public surveys and the feedback received from people, 40 candidates who received a positive response have been finalised. The list will be released very soon on social media, including Twitter. The names of all 40 candidates have been finalised," Bhagwant Mann said.

AAP looks to field new faces in Punjab elections

Mann said the party had decided to give opportunities to new faces alongside established leaders. He also congratulated those selected to contest the elections.

Explaining the decision to announce candidates well ahead of the polls, the Chief Minister took a dig at the Congress, suggesting that the opposition party would continue discussing and finalising its candidates until the last moment. He said the AAP was confident about its selections and wanted to get an early start.

Who are the prominent candidates in AAP's first list?

The first list features candidates from several constituencies across Punjab, including sitting leaders and fresh faces.

Among the prominent names are Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Ajnala, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar from Amritsar South, Sanjeev Arora from Ludhiana West and Chaudhary Madan Lal Bagga from Ludhiana North.

The party has also fielded Kultar Singh Sandhwan from Kotkapura and Ajitpal Singh Kohli from Patiala, apart from naming Mann as its candidate from Dhuri.

With the first 40 candidates finalised, the AAP has begun its preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections ahead of its political rivals.