Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from Dhuri once again, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing his name in its first list of 40 candidates. The decision marks another important electoral test for Mann, whose political journey has taken him from the entertainment industry to Parliament and eventually to the Chief Minister's office.
Before entering politics, Mann had established himself as a popular comedian. He joined Manpreet Badal's People's Party of Punjab (PPP) in 2011 and contested his first Assembly election from Lehra in 2012. However, he failed to win the seat.
His political career took a significant turn in 2014 when he joined the Aam Aadmi Party and contested the Lok Sabha elections from Sangrur. He defeated senior Congress leader Vijay Inder Singla to enter Parliament for the first time.
Mann retained the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections, becoming a two-time MP from the constituency and strengthening his position in Punjab politics.
Ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, AAP projected him as its Chief Ministerial candidate. He subsequently resigned as an MP and entered the Assembly election fray from Dhuri, where he registered a victory. On March 16, 2022, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Now, the party has once again chosen Dhuri for him as it begins preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. His political journey from a comedian to a two-time MP and then Chief Minister has made him one of the most prominent faces in Punjab politics.
However, the upcoming election will be different from his previous electoral contests. This time, Mann will be seeking another mandate after completing five years as Chief Minister. His government's performance, key decisions, promises and handling of various issues during its tenure are likely to feature prominently in the election campaign.
AAP Reposes Faith in Existing MLAs
Apart from Mann, the party's first list also includes several sitting MLAs who have been given another opportunity to contest. These include leaders who have won consecutive Assembly elections in 2017 and 2022.
AAP has announced 40 candidates in its first list, leaving nominees for the remaining 77 Assembly constituencies to be declared.
The party had earlier indicated that public feedback and the performance of sitting legislators would play an important role in selecting candidates. While several existing MLAs have received tickets, the fate of those not included in the first list remains to be seen.
The party is expected to announce its remaining candidates in phases, with attention focused on ministers, new faces and leaders from constituencies where organisational changes have taken place.
For Mann, however, the 2027 election will be particularly significant as he returns to Dhuri not just as a candidate but as the incumbent Chief Minister. The contest will provide an opportunity for voters to assess his government's five-year tenure and decide whether to give him another mandate.
