Chandigarh/New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accelerated the process of selecting candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the party is expected to release its first list of candidates tomorrow at 12 noon. Prior to this, a meeting was held in Delhi to discuss the candidate names, which was attended by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
According to party sources, a meeting will also be held in Delhi on Friday to finalize the candidate names. The first list may be released after this. However, the party has not yet officially confirmed the number of candidates included in the list.
Names of around 20 candidates likely to appear in the first list
There is talk that the AAP may announce the names of around 20 candidates in the first list. It is believed that those sitting MLAs or constituency in-charges whose names face no significant opposition within the party may be given a chance in the first phase.
Sources also predict that the party may deny tickets to 30 to 40 sitting MLAs in the upcoming elections. However, no official announcement has been made yet. The final decision on the candidates is expected to be made at a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC).
The party’s strategy is believed to be to announce the candidates before the election code of conduct comes into effect, giving them sufficient time to work in their respective constituencies and expand their reach among voters.
CM Mann said – We will seek votes based on five years of work
After the meeting in Delhi, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that discussions were held regarding the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Party President Aman Arora and PAC member Harpal Cheema joined the meeting virtually. The names of several candidates have been finalized after deliberation. According to Mann, the names will be submitted to the PAC by Friday evening, and the first list of candidates may be released after the committee’s meeting on Saturday.
The Chief Minister stated that the AAP will seek votes from the public based on its work and development initiatives in Punjab over the past five years. He stated that the party will engage in positive politics and consider public opinion and surveys in selecting candidates. The party has tried to assess which candidates have public support and which are causing discontent.
Reacting to a possible alliance between the Akali Dal and the BJP, Mann stated that this will not affect the AAP. He targeted both parties, questioning their stance on the issue of a drug-free Punjab if they come together.
Emphasis on strengthening the organization after Manish Sisodia becomes in-charge
The AAP is also making organizational changes in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections in Punjab. Following the appointment of Manish Sisodia as in-charge of Punjab after the Delhi assembly elections, the party has accelerated the process of strengthening the organization.
Under this initiative, new appointments have been made at the constituency level and changes have been made to the organizational structure. The party’s effort is to activate the grassroots organization before the elections and provide candidates with adequate time to work in their constituencies.
New Incharges Appointed in 19 Assembly Constituencies in Eight Months
The Aam Aadmi Party has appointed new constituency incharges in at least 19 assembly constituencies in Punjab over the past eight months. Incharges for eight constituencies were announced in the list released in February 2026.
Following this, three new appointments were made in Kharar, Chamkaur Sahib, and Bathinda Rural as part of the organizational changes on August 21st. The latest list also appointed new incharges for eight assembly constituencies, including Samana, Jalandhar North, Patti, Fatehgarh Churian, Amritsar North, Majitha, Nawanshahr, and Shahkot.
Thus, appointments have been made in 19 assembly constituencies in three phases between February and October 2026. Through these changes, the party is trying to strengthen its organization and speed up election preparations before the upcoming assembly elections.