AAP's second Punjab candidate list 2027: 8 MLAs dropped, 21 lost seats targeted
Synopsis
AAP's second Punjab list is not a routine candidate roll-out — it is a pointed message that incumbency is no shield. With 8 sitting MLAs dropped, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian axed, and wrestler Jassa Patti drafted in, the party is betting that local appeal and fresh faces can reclaim the 21 seats it lost in 2022.
Key Takeaways
AAP released its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections , taking total declared nominees to 71 .
21 of the 31 seats in this list are constituencies AAP had lost in the 2022 elections.
Eight sitting MLAs have been denied tickets, including Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and former ministers Laljit Singh Bhullar and Anmol Gagan Mann .
Renowned wrestler Jaskanwar Singh Gill (Jassa Patti) , titled Rustam-e-Hind , has been nominated from Patti in Tarn Taran district.
Sitting MPs Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer (Barnala) and Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal (Phagwara) have been fielded in state seats.
46 seats are yet to be announced as AAP continues finalising its full Punjab ticket.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, bringing its total declared nominees to 71. The list signals a sweeping internal reset as the ruling party recalibrates its electoral strategy, prioritising performance and local appeal over automatic incumbent protection.
Heavy Focus on Lost Seats
Of the 31 seats covered in this list, 21 are constituencies where AAP had suffered defeats in the 2022 Assembly elections. Party leaders appear determined to reclaim ground in these areas by deploying a mix of new faces, local influencers, and battle-tested organisational workers. The deliberate skew towards previously lost constituencies underlines the party's intent to widen its footprint well beyond the strongholds it held after 2022.
Eight Sitting MLAs Denied Tickets
In the most significant reshuffle within this list, eight sitting MLAs have been denied tickets. The most prominent casualty is Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who has been dropped from Lambi in favour of his nephew Randhir Singh Dhira. Former ministers Laljit Singh Bhullar and Anmol Gagan Mann are also among those dropped. Only two sitting MLAs covered in this list — Saravjit Kaur Manuke (Jagraon) and Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir (Balluana) — have been renominated, reflecting how selective the party has been with continuity.
Two Sitting MPs Enter Assembly Contest
Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has been fielded from Barnala, a seat he previously held as an MLA. Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal has been nominated from Phagwara. Their entry into the state electoral contest reflects AAP's strategy of deploying experienced parliamentary voices to anchor key constituencies ahead of a high-stakes battle.
Star Nomination: Wrestler Jassa Patti From Patti
The standout announcement in the second list is the nomination of celebrated wrestler Jaskanwar Singh Gill, popularly known as Jassa Patti, from the Patti constituency in Tarn Taran district. Widely described as the 'Virat Kohli of wrestling' for his dominance in traditional dangals and titles including Rustam-e-Hind, Jassa Patti replaces the dropped Laljit Singh Bhullar, who is reportedly in jail and had announced he would not contest. The move is seen as an attempt to harness the wrestler's strong local popularity and rural connect in the region.
Women Candidates and Regional Balance
The list also features several women candidates, including Sonia Mann from Raja Sansi and Vaninder Kaur Loomba from Shutrana. Candidates have been distributed across Majha, Doaba, and Malwa regions, indicating an effort to maintain geographic balance. With 46 seats still to be announced, the coming weeks will test how AAP balances continuity with change as it gears up for the 2027 polls.
Point of View
Depending on how you read the 2022 results. The pivot to 21 lost seats is strategically sound but operationally risky: parachuting MPs into assembly contests and betting on a wrestler's stardom are high-upside, high-variance moves. What the list does not reveal is whether the dropped MLAs have been consulted or whether these cuts will trigger the kind of quiet rebellion that has undone ruling parties in Punjab before. With 46 seats still undeclared, the real test of AAP's nerve is still ahead.
NationPress
13 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates has AAP announced for the 2027 Punjab elections so far?
AAP has announced 71 candidates in total after releasing its second list of 31 names on Thursday. The party still has 46 seats left to declare.
Which sitting MLAs have been dropped by AAP in the second Punjab list?
Eight sitting MLAs have been denied tickets, the most notable being Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian , who has been replaced in Lambi by his nephew Randhir Singh Dhira. Former ministers Laljit Singh Bhullar and Anmol Gagan Mann are also among those dropped.
Who is Jassa Patti and why has AAP fielded him?
Jaskanwar Singh Gill , known as Jassa Patti, is a celebrated wrestler who holds the title of Rustam-e-Hind and is widely described as the 'Virat Kohli of wrestling' for his dominance in traditional dangals. AAP has nominated him from the Patti constituency in Tarn Taran district to leverage his strong local popularity and rural connect.
Why has AAP focused so heavily on seats it lost in 2022?
Of the 31 seats in the second list, 21 are constituencies where AAP had lost in the 2022 Assembly elections. The party appears to be prioritising reclaiming lost ground over protecting incumbents, fielding new faces and local influencers to expand its footprint beyond existing strongholds.
Which sitting MPs have been fielded in the Punjab Assembly elections?
Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer will contest from Barnala , a seat he previously held as an MLA, while Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal has been nominated from Phagwara . AAP sees their parliamentary experience as an asset in key constituencies.
