ASHISHPURI
A major political development may be on the cards in Kapurthala, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) likely to appoint a new halka in-charge ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Party sources indicate that the process of assessing potential contenders is gaining momentum, with industrialist Pritpal Singh Hanspal emerging as a front-runner.
The possible change could have wider political implications for the constituency, where Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh has maintained a strong electoral hold for years. The AAP leadership's choice of a new constituency-level coordinator could influence the party's preparations to challenge the Congress leader and attempt to break the Rana family's electoral dominance.
According to party sources, several names are under consideration for the position, including Pritpal Singh Hanspal, Sukhwant Singh, who is associated with AAP as a joint secretary, and Kanwar Iqbal Singh from Suntecc. The current halka in-charge, Karambir Singh, is also part of the political discussion amid speculation that the party may replace him.
No official announcement regarding the appointment has been made so far.
Pritpal Singh Hanspal, an industrialist, is reportedly among the leading contenders for the position. His role during last year's floods, when he is said to have provided nearly 100 boats to support relief efforts, has become an important part of his profile within political circles.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also praised Hanspal, according to the information available. AAP sources further indicate that Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal is supporting Hanspal as a potential contender for the 2027 Assembly elections.
If Hanspal secures the organisational position, it could strengthen his standing within the party and provide him with a more prominent role in preparing AAP for the next electoral contest.
However, the appointment of a halka in-charge would not automatically make him the party's MLA candidate. The final decision on the Assembly ticket would rest with the party leadership.
Apart from Hanspal, Sukhwant Singh and Kanwar Iqbal Singh are also being discussed as potential contenders for the organisational position.
Their inclusion would give the party leadership multiple options as it assesses who could strengthen the local organisation, improve coordination among workers and mobilise support ahead of the elections.
The selection is expected to depend on several factors, including organisational experience, public standing, relations with party workers and the ability to bring different groups together.
The possible change comes amid allegations within party circles that the current halka in-charge, Karambir Singh, has not succeeded in maintaining unity among local leaders and workers.
Sources suggest that the alleged lack of coordination could be one of the factors behind the reported move to identify a replacement. However, this remains an unverified claim, and there has been no official confirmation that Karambir Singh is being removed for this reason.
If the leadership decides to appoint a new in-charge, the move could signal an effort to address organisational concerns and build a more cohesive local team before the 2027 elections.
The challenge for the new appointee would be to bring different factions together, improve communication with the party leadership and ensure that local disagreements do not affect electoral preparations.
Kapurthala's electoral history highlights the challenge facing AAP. The Rana family has won the constituency in five consecutive Assembly elections from 2002 to 2022. Rana Gurjeet Singh won in 2002, 2012, 2017 and 2022, while his wife, Rana Rajbans Kaur, won in 2007. This record underlines the family's longstanding influence in the constituency.
In the 2022 Assembly elections, Rana Gurjeet Singh won with 44,096 votes, while AAP's Manju Rana finished second with 36,792 votes. The Congress leader's winning margin was 7,304 votes.
These results show that AAP has a substantial voter base in the constituency but still faces a significant challenge in defeating the Congress incumbent.
A new halka in-charge could give AAP an opportunity to reorganise its local team, strengthen its grassroots network and build a more coordinated campaign. If the party manages to unite its leaders behind a common strategy, the appointment could become an important step in its effort to challenge the Rana family's hold on the seat.
However, organisational changes alone may not be enough. The party would also need to assess voter sentiment, identify a strong Assembly candidate and establish a campaign capable of competing with the Congress's established local presence.
The coming days could be important for AAP's Kapurthala unit as the leadership weighs the strengths of the potential contenders. The decision will not only determine who oversees the party's local organisation but could also influence the early stages of its 2027 election strategy.
For now, Pritpal Singh Hanspal appears to be among the leading names, with Sukhwant Singh and Kanwar Iqbal Singh also in contention. Whether the party replaces Karambir Singh and who ultimately takes charge will become clear only after an official decision.