The political battle for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections is beginning to take shape, with AAP officially kicking off its electoral preparations by announcing its first list of 40 candidates on October 31. The list includes 27 candidates from the broader Malwa region, eight from Doaba and five from Majha, with the Puadh constituencies of Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib counted within Malwa for this regional breakdown.
Among the prominent names are Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from Dhuri, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan from Kotkapura, former Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri from Garhshankar, former ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Balkar Singh, and Sanjeev Arora from Ludhiana West.
The announcement also features leaders who joined AAP from other political parties, as well as candidates who entered the Assembly through by-elections after the 2022 elections.
Here is a detailed look at all 40 candidates, their political backgrounds and previous electoral records.
The Aam Aadmi Party on October 31 announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, naming Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from Dhuri and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan from Kotkapura. The list largely retains sitting legislators and includes MLAs elected through subsequent by-elections. The Election Commission has not yet announced the polling schedule.
The announcement covers constituencies across Punjab, including Batala, Ajnala, Nakodar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, Ludhiana, Moga and Patiala. Here is a constituency-wise account of the candidates and their electoral records.
1. Amansher Singh “Shery Kalsi” — Batala
Amansher Singh, popularly known as Shery Kalsi, won Batala on an AAP ticket in the 2022 Assembly election. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Ashwani Sekhri. AAP has named him again from the constituency.
2. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal — Ajnala
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal won Ajnala in 2022, defeating his nearest rival, Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Amarpal Singh Bonny Ajnala. He has been retained as AAP’s candidate for the constituency.
3. Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar — Amritsar South
Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar won Amritsar South in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Talbir Singh Gill. He served as pro tem Speaker during the opening proceedings of the newly elected Punjab Assembly in March 2022. This was a temporary legislative role, distinct from the elected Speaker’s office.
4. Harmeet Singh Sandhu — Tarn Taran
Harmeet Singh Sandhu contested Tarn Taran on a SAD ticket in 2022 and finished second to AAP’s Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal. He subsequently returned to the Assembly as AAP’s candidate in the November 2025 by-election, defeating SAD nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by 12,091 votes. AAP has now named him again.
5. Sarvan Singh Dhun — Khem Karan
Sarvan Singh Dhun won the border constituency of Khem Karan in 2022. His nearest rival was SAD candidate Virsa Singh Valtoha. He is among the sitting legislators retained in the first list.
6. Inderjit Kaur Mann — Nakodar
Inderjit Kaur Mann won Nakodar in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Gurpartap Singh Wadala. She is among the women candidates named in AAP’s first announcement for the 2027 election.
7. Balkar Singh — Kartarpur
A retired Punjab Police officer, Balkar Singh entered AAP before the 2022 election. He won Kartarpur, defeating Congress candidate Chaudhary Surinder Singh. Reporting on his entry into politics identified him as a retired Punjab Police Service officer, rather than an IPS officer.
8. Karambir Singh Ghuman — Dasuya
Karambir Singh Ghuman won Dasuya in the 2022 Assembly election. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Arun Dogra. AAP has retained him for the constituency.
9. Jasvir Singh Raja Gill — Urmar
Jasvir Singh Raja Gill won Urmar in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Sangat Singh Gilzian. He is among the party’s sitting MLAs named again in the first list.
10. Bram Shanker Sharma “Jimpa” — Hoshiarpur
Bram Shanker Sharma, widely known as Jimpa, won Hoshiarpur in 2022. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Sunder Sham Arora. AAP has nominated him again from the same constituency.
11. Ishank Kumar Chabbewal — Chabbewal
A doctor by profession, Ishank Kumar Chabbewal entered the Assembly through the November 2024 by-election. He defeated Congress candidate Ranjit Kumar by 28,690 votes, polling 51,904 votes against Kumar’s 23,214. It was his first election.
His father, Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, is the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha MP. Ishank’s nomination retains AAP’s successful by-election candidate.
12. Jai Krishan Singh Rouri — Garhshankar
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri won Garhshankar in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Amarpreet Singh Lally. Recent reporting continues to identify him as the serving Deputy Speaker.
13. Santosh Kumari Kataria — Balachaur
Santosh Kumari Kataria won Balachaur in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Sunita Rani. She is among the sitting women legislators retained by AAP.
14. Dinesh Chadha — Rupnagar
Dinesh Chadha won Rupnagar in 2022. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Brinder Singh Dhillon. He has been named again as AAP’s candidate for the constituency.
15. Kulwant Singh — SAS Nagar, Mohali
Kulwant Singh won the SAS Nagar Assembly constituency in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Balbir Singh Sidhu. AAP has retained him from the Mohali seat.
16. Lakhbir Singh Rai — Fatehgarh Sahib
Lakhbir Singh Rai won Fatehgarh Sahib in the 2022 Assembly election. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Kuljit Singh Nagra. He features in the first list of candidates for 2027.17. Gurinder Singh “Garry” — Amloh
Gurinder Singh, popularly known as Garry, won Amloh in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna. The published 2027 candidate list uses “Garry Warring”, while the 2022 results listing records “Garry Birring”. Both refer to the Amloh legislator; the shortened name is used here to avoid reproducing the inconsistent surname spellings.
18. Jagtar Singh Diyalpura — Samrala
Jagtar Singh Diyalpura won Samrala in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Paramjit Singh Dhillon. AAP has retained him for the constituency.
19. Daljit Singh Grewal “Bhola” — Ludhiana East
Daljit Singh Grewal, known as Bhola, won Ludhiana East in 2022. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Sanjay Talwar. He has been named again from the constituency.
20. Kulwant Singh Sidhu — Atam Nagar
Kulwant Singh Sidhu won Atam Nagar in 2022, defeating his nearest rival, Congress candidate Kamaljit Singh Karwal. His renomination retains AAP’s sitting representative from the Ludhiana constituency.
21. Ashok Prashar “Pappi” — Ludhiana Central
Ashok Prashar, popularly known as Pappi, won Ludhiana Central in 2022. His nearest rival was BJP candidate Gurdev Sharma Debi, not Congress candidate Surinder Dawar. AAP has named Prashar again for the seat.
22. Sanjeev Arora — Ludhiana West
Sanjeev Arora is named as AAP’s candidate for Ludhiana West. A former Rajya Sabha member, he subsequently entered state politics and became a Punjab Cabinet minister.
His candidature comes amid ongoing money-laundering proceedings. The Enforcement Directorate arrested him on May 9, 2026, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected his regular bail application on October 16. Those proceedings concern allegations that remain subject to judicial determination; the rejection of bail does not establish guilt.
23. Chaudhary Madan Lal Bagga — Ludhiana North
Madan Lal Bagga won Ludhiana North in 2022. His nearest rival was BJP candidate Parveen Bansal. AAP has retained him from the urban constituency.
24. Manwinder Singh Giaspura — Payal
Manwinder Singh Giaspura won Payal in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Lakhvir Singh Lakha. He is among the sitting MLAs named again in the first list.
25. Manjit Singh Bilaspur — Nihal Singh Wala
Manjit Singh Bilaspur won Nihal Singh Wala in 2022. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Bhupinder Singh Sahoke. AAP has retained Bilaspur for the constituency.
26. Amritpal Singh Sukhanand — Bagha Purana
Amritpal Singh Sukhanand won Bagha Purana in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Tirath Singh Mahla. He has been named again from the constituency.
27. Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora — Moga
Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora won Moga in the 2022 Assembly election. She defeated Congress candidate Malvika Sood and is among the sitting legislators retained by AAP.
28. Devinder Jeet Singh “Laddi Dhos” — Dharamkot
Devinder Jeet Singh, popularly known as Laddi Dhos, won Dharamkot in 2022. His nearest rival was Congress candidate Sukhjit Singh Kaka Lohgarh. AAP has nominated him again.
29. Jagdeep Kamboj “Goldy” — Jalalabad
Jagdeep Kamboj, known as Goldy, won Jalalabad in 2022, defeating SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. The result was among the prominent contests of AAP’s successful Assembly campaign. He has been retained for the constituency.
30. Narinderpal Singh Sawna — Fazilka
Narinderpal Singh Sawna won Fazilka in 2022. His nearest rival was BJP candidate Surjit Kumar Jyani. AAP has named him again from the seat.
31. Jagdeep Singh “Kaka Brar” — Muktsar
Jagdeep Singh, popularly known as Kaka Brar, won Muktsar in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi. He is among the sitting MLAs retained in the first list.
32. Kultar Singh Sandhwan — Kotkapura
Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has been nominated again from Kotkapura. In 2022, he defeated Congress candidate Ajaipal Singh Sandhu. His inclusion retains one of AAP’s prominent legislative figures.
33. Amolak Singh — Jaitu
Amolak Singh won Jaitu in 2022, defeating SAD candidate Manjit Singh, also known as Suba Singh. AAP has retained him for the constituency.
34. Baljinder Kaur — Talwandi Sabo
Baljinder Kaur won Talwandi Sabo in 2022. Her nearest rival was SAD candidate Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu. She is among the women legislators named in AAP’s first candidate list.
35. Gurpreet Singh Banawali — Sardulgarh
Gurpreet Singh Banawali won Sardulgarh in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Bikram Singh. He has been named again as AAP’s candidate for the constituency.
36. Labh Singh Ugoke — Bhadaur
Labh Singh Ugoke won Bhadaur in 2022, defeating then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi of Congress. His victory was a notable result because it involved the defeat of a serving chief minister. AAP has retained Ugoke for the seat.
37. Kulwant Singh Pandori — Mehal Kalan
Kulwant Singh Pandori won Mehal Kalan in 2022. His nearest rival was Gurjant Singh Kattu of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), a party distinct from the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. Pandori has been nominated again.
38. Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra — Amargarh
Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra won Amargarh in 2022, defeating Simranjit Singh Mann of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Mann should not be described as a candidate of the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. AAP has retained Gajjan Majra for Amargarh.
39. Bhagwant Mann — Dhuri
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been nominated again from Dhuri. He won the constituency in 2022, defeating Congress candidate Dalvir Singh Goldy. His nomination retains the chief minister in the seat from which he entered the current Assembly.
40. Ajit Pal Singh Kohli — Patiala
Ajit Pal Singh Kohli won Patiala in 2022, defeating former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Amarinder contested that election on a Punjab Lok Congress ticket, not as a Congress candidate. AAP has retained Kohli for the constituency
With candidates announced for 40 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly constituencies, AAP is yet to declare nominees for the remaining 77 seats. The first list features several sitting MLAs, former ministers and leaders who entered the Assembly through by-elections.
The selection of candidates for the remaining constituencies will offer a clearer picture of the party’s electoral strategy, particularly whether it retains its existing legislators or introduces new faces based on public feedback, performance and constituency-level considerations.