In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Thursday announced its first list of candidates, comprising a diverse mix of Cabinet Ministers, a sitting MP, a popular Punjabi artist, and a recent Congress defector — in an apparent attempt to consolidate its position and challenge traditional political dynamics in the State.
AAP’s decision to field prominent leaders, including five Cabinet Ministers, reflects the party's confidence in its leadership and governance model. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh has been named as AAP’s Lok Sabha candidates from Patiala, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian from Bathinda, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer from Sangrur, NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Amritsar, and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar from Khadoor Sahib.
Other names featured in AAP’s debut list are the sitting MP from Jalandhar Sushil Kumar Rinku, former Congress MLA who recently crossed over to AAP Gurpreet Singh GP, and acclaimed Punjabi artist Karamjit Anmol.
With the release of its candidate roster, AAP has set the stage for a diverse electoral contest, reflecting the party’s inclusive approach to representation. Out of the total 13 seats, eight have been disclosed, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise to the political arena.
Despite being constituents of the national opposition alliance, AAP and the Congress have opted to pursue separate electoral strategies in Punjab, choosing to contest the Lok Sabha polls independently.
The nomination of Cabinet Ministers from key constituencies like Bathinda, Khadoor Sahib, Sangrur, Patiala, and Amritsar reflected AAP's strategic calculus to target strongholds of rival parties and capitalize on existing discontent among the voters. However, their nomination also raised the prospect of significant political reshuffling, with potential vacancies in both Cabinet positions and Vidhan Sabha seats in case they emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha elections.
Khuddian, known as a political giant killer, is poised to contest from Bathinda, a constituency currently held by SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. His political journey is marked by his significant victory over former five-time Chief Minister and 11-time MLA Parkash Singh Badal in his stronghold of Lambi constituency. This solidifies Khuddian's reputation as a formidable political force and is likely to set the stage for a compelling electoral contest in Bathinda.
Son of former Lok Sabha MP Jagdev Singh Khuddian, Gurmeet Khuddian’s roots run deep in Punjab's political landscape. Previously affiliated with the Congress party and considered close to Capt Amarinder Singh, Khuddian’s association with the former Chief Minister is well-known. In 2017 Assembly election, he served as a covering candidate for Capt Amarinder in Lambi.
Health Minister Dr Balbir, a seasoned politician and a notable eye surgeon, is set to represent AAP in Patiala, a constituency historically dominated by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder. Dr Balbir, who currently oversees crucial portfolios including Health and Family Affairs, has a rich political background. In 2022, he secured victory against Congress candidate Mohit Mohindra, son of the then Cabinet Minister and veteran politician Brahm Mohindra, in the Patiala rural constituency.
An old AAP loyalist, Dr Balbir temporarily assumed leadership responsibilities for the state unit during a transitional phase within the party. His roots in activism trace back to the JP movement in 1974 and later involvement in the 2011 anti-corruption movement. Having joined AAP before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Dr Balbir’s political journey has been marked by resilience and dedication.
Fielded from Amritsar, Dhaliwal, an NRI who returned to Punjab to pursue a political career, brings a unique perspective to the table. As the former Rural Development Minister, he led a vigorous campaign to reclaim encroached land, demonstrating his commitment to addressing crucial issues facing rural communities. A former Congress leader, Dhaliwal clinched victory against SAD’s Amarpal Singh Ajnala in Ajnala assembly constituency in 2022 polls.
Bhullar, the incumbent MLA representing the Patti segment, has emerged as a prominent figure in Punjab's political arena. Rising from humble beginnings as AAP volunteer, Bhullar's political journey has been marked by determination and grassroots support. Notably, he secured victory in Patti by defeating Badal’s son-in-law Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, and Congress former MLA Harminder Singh Gill.
To maintain its stronghold in Jalandhar, AAP has once again laid its bet on its MP Sushil Kumar Rinku for the 2024 polls. Rinku, who emerged victorious in the by-election held in May 2023, is gearing up to solidify his position in the region.
A former Congress MLA, Rinku made waves when he defected to AAP, subsequently winning the Lok Sabha by-election in 2023. Rinku's victory saw him triumph over Congress candidate Karamjit Chaudhary by an impressive margin of over 55,000 votes. This electoral battle was necessitated by the untimely demise of Congress MP Santokh Chaudhary, who suffered a heart attack during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Renowned Punjabi entertainer Karamjit Anmol, known for his multifaceted talents in acting, comedy, singing, and film production also, is poised to embark on a political journey. Anmol, a close associate of Chief Minister Mann, has been selected as AAP’s candidate from Faridkot.
Having actively supported AAP in previous Lok Sabha elections, Anmol's comedic flair and widespread popularity have garnered attention. His familial ties to the legendary Punjabi folk singer Kuldeep Manak further solidify his connection to Punjab’s rich cultural heritage.
With his nomination, Anmol brings a blend of entertainment and political acumen to the forefront, signaling AAP's intent to introduce fresh faces and diverse talents into Punjab's political arena.
AAP’s generation next leader Meet Hayer, currently serving as the Sports Minister, has been nominated as the party's candidate from the Sangrur constituency — a seat presently held by SAD (Amritsar) president and Khalistani ideologue Simranjeet Singh Mann. Sangrur is also the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who himself represented Sangrur twice in the Lok Sabha.
Hayer, a two-time MLA from Barnala, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, overseeing crucial portfolios including education, sports, youth services, and science and technology in just two years of AAP Government. AAP's decision to field Hayer underscores their determination to reclaim Sangrur, a constituency they lost in the 2022 by-elections when Mann vacated the seat to assume the role of Punjab's Chief Minister.
Gurpreet Singh GP, a former Congress MLA hailing from Bassi Pathana, has swiftly transitioned to AAP and has now been named as the party's candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib. Known for his vocal critiques of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Gurpreet Singh GP’s entry into AAP marks a significant shift in Punjab's political landscape. His decision to join AAP comes on the heels of a closely contested election in 2022, where he faced off against Channi’s brother, Dr Manohar Singh, who ran as an independent candidate. Both candidates ultimately lost to AAP’s Rupinder Singh.
The announcement of AAP's first list of candidates, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Lok Sabha election in Punjab with multiple parties vying for electoral supremacy, comes three days after the party commenced its Lok Sabha campaign in Mohali.
On March 11, the party launched its slogans ‘Sansad Vich vi Bhagwant Mann, Khushal Punjab Te Badhegi Shaan’ and ‘Punjab Banega Hero, Is baar 13 – Zero”. The party seeks to be recognized for its “pro-poor policies”, including initiatives like free electricity, alongside reforms in government schools and healthcare. Despite previous general elections in 2014 and 2019 where Punjab elected four and one AAP MPs to Parliament respectively, the state remains the sole region where the party holds representation in the lower house, indicating AAP's continued relevance and appeal in the region.
