Chandigarh: Following the release of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s first list of 40 candidates in Punjab, Laljit Singh Bhullar, MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran district and former minister, has declined to contest the 2027 assembly elections. He shared his decision in a social media post.
Bhullar wrote in his post, “I have heard from my brothers and sisters in the Patti constituency about the party’s desire to field me again, but I have decided not to contest this time.”
Bhullar is currently in jail. While serving as a minister, his name surfaced in the suicide case of Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the Amritsar-based district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation. He was arrested by police in connection with this case.
Bhullar’s wife, Surinderpal Kaur, was also vying for the AAP ticket from Patti. However, due to Bhullar’s imprisonment, the party has already appointed wrestler Jassa Patti as the constituency in-charge.
It is believed that Bhullar was aware that the party would not give him a ticket this time. Meanwhile, the AAP has given a ticket to Ludhiana West MLA and Minister Sanjeev Arora, who is lodged in Bhondsi Jail in Gurugram, in its first list.
Meanwhile, three AAP MLAs—Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh from Amritsar North, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Sanaur, and Chetan Singh Jodmajra from Samana—have joined the BJP.
Bhullar’s Social Media Post
In his post, Bhullar mentioned the people of Patti expressing their desire for him to contest the elections again. However, he made it clear that he will not contest the assembly elections this time.
Bhullar arrested in DM suicide case
Former Punjab Transport Minister and AAP MLA from Patti, Laljit Singh Bhullar, was implicated in the March 2026 suicide case of Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar.
Following a video recorded before Randhawa’s death and a complaint from his wife, the case became a subject of political and legal controversy. Bhullar was subsequently forced to resign from his ministerial post and was arrested by the police.
How did the case escalate from a tender dispute to suicide?
– Allegations of pressure to award tenders to his father: Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, was accused of exerting pressure regarding the allocation of tenders for warehouse construction in the Patti and Khemkaran areas. Randhawa’s wife, Upinder Kaur, alleged in her police complaint that Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh, and personal assistant Dilbag Singh wanted the tenders to be awarded in Bhullar’s father’s favor.
– Allegation of being called home and assaulted: According to the complaint, Randhawa was threatened and harassed when he refused to award a tender that was against the rules. His wife alleged that Randhawa was assaulted at Bhullar’s home in Patti on March 13th. A false video was also made of him allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh at gunpoint.
-Suicide by poisoning: Subsequently, on March 21, 2026, Randhawa swallowed a poisonous substance at his home in Amritsar. In the video he made before his death, he allegedly named Bhullar and accused him of pressuring him. The matter became a topic of discussion after the video surfaced.
This is how Bhullar was arrested
On March 22, after Randhawa’s death, an FIR was registered at the Ranjit Avenue police station in Amritsar against Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh, and his personal assistant Dilbag Singh under sections 108 (abetment to suicide), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention) of the IPC.
On March 23, police arrested Bhullar from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Before his arrest, Bhullar had posted on social media stating that he was not absconding and was surrendering himself.
The police produced him before an Amritsar court, where he was initially granted five days’ police remand. This was followed by an additional three days’ remand. On April 1, the court remanded him to judicial custody.
Bhullar’s bail plea has been rejected
On July 15, 2026, an Amritsar court rejected Bhullar’s bail plea. The victim’s family had expressed apprehension that Bhullar might use his political influence to influence witnesses after his release from jail.
On May 21, the police filed a nearly 500-page charge sheet in this case. It included 53 witnesses and two video recordings as crucial evidence.
AAP appoints new constituency in-charge in Patti
After Bhullar’s arrest, questions arose about the AAP’s leadership in the Patti assembly constituency. A media report in April 2026 claimed that the party had not yet appointed a new constituency in-charge.
During this time, Bhullar’s wife, Surinder Kaur, was contacting people in the area and participating in party events.
Subsequently, on July 29, 2026, the AAP appointed a new constituency in-charge in Patti. According to a September report, this responsibility was given to Jaskanwar Singh Gill, also known as Jassa Gill. This decision by the party was also considered significant because Bhullar is still the MLA from Patti.
Wife also in the running for a ticket
After Bhullar’s arrest, his wife, Surinder Kaur, continued her political activities in Patti. She visited villages and organized AAP campaigns.