Chandigarh: Political activity within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with two sitting MLAs, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Sanaur and Chetan Singh Jouramajra from Samana, resigning from the party on Sunday, a day after it announced its first list of 40 candidates. Both leaders are likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The resignations come amid speculation that neither MLA was likely to be renominated by the party for the upcoming Assembly elections. The recent appointment of new constituency in-charges in both segments had further fuelled these speculations.
Sanaur Gets Ranjodh Hadana, Samana Gets Surjit Singh Rakhra
AAP had appointed Ranjodh Hadana as the constituency in-charge for Sanaur, while Surjit Singh Rakhra was given responsibility for Samana. These appointments were seen as possible indications of a change in the party’s electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Following the appointments, questions had emerged over the political future of both sitting MLAs. Their resignations have now added a new dimension to Punjab’s political developments ahead of the Assembly polls.
Pathanmajra Remains in Spotlight Over Rape Case
Sanaur MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra has been embroiled in controversy following the registration of a rape case against him. Reports of him absconding after the registration of the case brought his legal troubles and political future into focus.
His reportedly strained relations with the party leadership, along with the legal controversy, had raised questions about his chances of securing the AAP ticket for another term.
Jouramajra Had Been Dropped from Cabinet
Samana MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra had served as a Cabinet minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government. However, he was dropped from the Council of Ministers during a Cabinet reshuffle, a decision widely seen as a setback for the Samana legislator.
