Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jul 29: With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has become one of the first political parties to announce its candidates, releasing its maiden list of 20 nominees for the upcoming polls.

The party said the candidates were finalised during a meeting of its Parliamentary Board.

Announcing the list, Parliamentary Board Secretary Gurjant Singh Kattu said the party's working president, Emaan Singh Mann, will contest from the Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly constituency.

Among the other prominent candidates announced are Mahinderpal Singh from Patiala Rural, Kuldeep Singh Bhagowal from Rupnagar, Kushalpal Singh Mann from Kharar, Gurnam Singh Singriwal from Garhshankar, Gurnaib Singh Rampura from Sangrur, Baldev Singh Gagra from Nihal Singh Wala, Harjinder Singh Jakhu from Bhadaur and Parminder Singh Ballianwali from Maur.

Kattu said the remaining candidates for the 117-member Punjab Assembly would be announced in subsequent lists as the party steps up preparations for the elections, expected to be held in early 2027.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also intensified its election preparations in the state. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu recently resigned from the Union Cabinet, with the party stating that he would now focus entirely on leading the BJP's campaign in Punjab. He is expected to contest the Assembly election from the Ludhiana constituency.

According to BJP leaders, Bittu had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept his resignation so that he could devote himself fully to state politics.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on the other hand, has expressed confidence about retaining power in Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the government's welfare initiatives had received strong public support and asserted that the people of Punjab would once again elect the AAP in the 2027 Assembly elections.