AAP Moves Ahead in Punjab Poll Preparations as 2027 Election Battle Takes Shape

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, taking the total number of candidates announced so far to 71. The party had released its first list of 40 candidates on October 31, signalling an early start to its election preparations.

AAP, which won a massive 92 of the 117 Assembly seats in 2022, remains a strong contender as the ruling party. Its welfare schemes, organisational network and early candidate announcements give it an advantage over rivals still preparing their electoral strategies. However, retaining that support will depend on how voters assess its performance over the past five years.

The Congress is expected to be its principal challenger. Its victory in seven of Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2024, compared with AAP’s three, demonstrated that the opposition has regained ground. The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal could also affect the contest, particularly if they explore an alliance.

AAP faces questions over unemployment, drug trafficking, law and order, farmers’ concerns and the state’s finances. A corruption investigation involving Rajbir Singh Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, could add to the pressure. The CBI has alleged that Ghuman and associates were linked to a network seeking to influence transfers, postings and government decisions for financial benefits. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established in court.

AAP may still begin the race with an edge, but the 2027 contest is likely to be more competitive than the party’s sweeping 2022 victory suggests. Its biggest challenge will be to turn its governance record into electoral support while countering the opposition’s campaign.