Punjab Elections 2027: AAP Announces 40 Candidates in First List, Bhagwant Mann to Fight from Dhuri

Punjab Elections 2027: The political battle for Punjab has begun taking shape ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its first list of 40 candidates, giving an early indication of its electoral strategy and the leaders it intends to back in the next state election.

The announcement was made on October 31, 2026, through an official statement issued by AAP National Secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been nominated again from Dhuri, while Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan will contest from Kotkapura.

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Another major name in the announcement is Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, who has been nominated from Ludhiana West despite being in judicial custody in connection with an ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigation.

The first list includes candidates from different parts of Punjab, covering important constituencies in the Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions. According to media reports, all 40 nominees are sitting MLAs, indicating that the party has decided to continue with its existing legislators in this initial phase.

Bhagwant Mann Retains Dhuri as His Constituency

The candidature of Bhagwant Mann is one of the biggest highlights of AAP’s announcement.

Mann will seek another electoral victory from Dhuri, located in Sangrur district. He won the constituency in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections by defeating Congress candidate Dalvir Singh Goldy by a substantial margin.

His decision to contest from Dhuri again is politically significant because the constituency has remained closely associated with his political journey.

As the sitting Chief Minister, Mann is expected to play a central role in the party’s campaign. His performance in office, government policies, and public support will be among the key factors influencing AAP’s prospects in 2027.

Sanjeev Arora Nominated from Ludhiana West Amid Legal Proceedings

Sanjeev Arora’s inclusion in the first list has attracted considerable political attention.

The AAP has once again selected Arora from Ludhiana West, where he won the 2025 Assembly by-election. However, his nomination comes at a time when he is facing an ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigation and remains in custody.

The ED arrested Arora in May 2026 in connection with an alleged money-laundering case involving financial transactions, GST-related irregularities and companies associated with Hampton Sky Realty.

The allegations are being investigated by the agency and have not been established as guilt through a final judicial finding.

AAP has rejected the allegations and criticised the central agency’s action against its leaders. Arora’s candidature is likely to become an important issue in the political debate ahead of the Punjab elections.

Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Other Prominent Leaders Get Tickets

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has been nominated from Kotkapura. His inclusion reflects the party’s decision to retain several prominent leaders in their existing constituencies.

Former ministers and senior party figures have also secured nominations.

Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal will contest from Ajnala, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar from Amritsar South, Balkar Singh from Kartarpur and Bram Shanker Sharma Jimpa from Hoshiarpur.

Other notable candidates include Kulwant Singh from S.A.S. Nagar, Lakhbir Singh Rai from Fatehgarh Sahib, Labh Singh Ugoke from Bhadaur and Ajitpal Singh Kohli from Patiala.

The list also includes four women candidates: Inderjit Kaur Mann, Santosh Kataria, Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora and Baljinder Kaur.

Complete AAP Candidate List for Punjab Assembly Elections 2027

AAP has announced candidates for the following 40 Assembly constituencies in its first phase:

Why Is AAP Announcing Candidates Before the Election Schedule?

The announcement of 40 candidates several months before the expected polling period gives AAP an opportunity to begin constituency-level preparations early.

Punjab has 117 Assembly seats, and the party has so far announced nominees for 40 constituencies. The remaining seats will be covered through subsequent candidate announcements.

The early selection could help the candidates establish stronger connections with local voters, coordinate with party workers and prepare their campaign strategies.

It also allows the party to communicate its political priorities before the formal election process begins.

AAP’s decision to retain its sitting MLAs in the first list indicates an emphasis on continuity. However, the electoral performance of these candidates will ultimately depend on their local popularity, public feedback and the political environment closer to polling.

Punjab Election 2027: A Major Test for the Aam Aadmi Party

The 2027 Punjab Assembly election will be an important political test for AAP. After securing a historic victory in 2022, the party will seek another consecutive term in the state.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal, will attempt to challenge the ruling party on governance and other public issues.

Employment opportunities, agricultural concerns, law and order, drug-related problems, public debt, education, healthcare and infrastructure are expected to feature prominently in the election campaign.

AAP will likely focus on its government’s work and welfare initiatives, while opposition parties are expected to raise questions about the implementation and outcomes of its promises.

The five-year term of the current Punjab Legislative Assembly ends on March 16, 2027. Voting is expected around February-March 2027, although the Election Commission of India has not yet published the official election programme.

What to Expect from AAP’s Next Candidate Announcement?

The first list has covered 40 constituencies, leaving 77 seats for subsequent announcements.

Political observers will be watching the party’s next selection closely, particularly its choices in constituencies where it faces strong opposition or local political challenges.

The party’s ability to maintain unity among its leaders and workers will also be important as the election approaches.

With Bhagwant Mann leading the campaign and several established leaders receiving nominations, AAP has made its initial electoral position clear. The next phase will reveal how the opposition responds and whether the ruling party can maintain its support across Punjab.

Conclusion

The announcement of 40 candidates marks an early and significant development in Punjab’s preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Bhagwant Mann’s decision to contest again from Dhuri, Sanjeev Arora’s nomination from Ludhiana West and Kultar Singh Sandhwan’s selection from Kotkapura have emerged as the major talking points.

For AAP, the challenge now will be to convert its early candidate selection into effective ground-level campaigning. With 117 Assembly seats at stake, Punjab is heading towards another closely watched electoral contest.