The Aam Aadmi Party’s announcement of its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections has triggered a major political controversy, with the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP questioning the party’s candidate selection, internal stability and political strategy.
While AAP has projected the announcement as an early move to strengthen its election preparations, opposition leaders have alleged that the ruling party is more concerned about retaining its legislators.
He further claimed that most of the candidates whose names had been announced could eventually be replaced, suggesting that AAP was attempting to prevent them from moving to other parties. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that several candidates named in AAP’s first list were already in touch with the Congress and other political parties and could eventually leave the ruling party. Bajwa also questioned the composition of the first list, pointing out that Punjab AAP president and Cabinet minister Aman Arora and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had not been given tickets in the initial announcement. The first list includes Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from Dhuri and several ministers and sitting MLAs. However, the absence of prominent names such as Aman Arora and Harpal Singh Cheema has also drawn attention, particularly as both hold important positions in the Punjab government and the party’s state leadership.
Their omission, he said, raised questions about the party’s candidate-selection strategy.
He alleged that the early announcement of tickets was an attempt to prevent potential defections and ensure that its leaders did not switch sides before the elections.
AAP Defends Its 40 Candidates, Backs Jailed Sanjeev Arora
“Sanjeev Arora is a strong party worker who was doing excellent work, and the Central government has sent him to jail to stop the government’s work. The entire party stands with him and his family. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj said the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), after detailed deliberations, had finalised 40 candidates for 40 Assembly constituencies.
If the government does not release him from jail, the people of Ludhiana will campaign for him,” Bhardwaj said. “The people of Punjab are very happy with the work done over the past five years and want Bhagwant Mann to become Chief Minister again,” Sisodia said.
