Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has indicated that the next Punjab Assembly elections could be held earlier than scheduled, urging party workers to begin preparations immediately. Speaking at a public event in Bathinda on Friday, Kejriwal suggested that the elections, currently slated for February 2027, might instead take place in November 2026.
While raising the possibility of early polls, Kejriwal did not provide any specific reason for why the election schedule might be advanced. However, he emphasized the need for party cadres to remain election-ready, stating that only a few months would be left for campaigning if the polls were held ahead of schedule.
Kejriwal also put to rest any speculation regarding the party’s leadership in Punjab, declaring that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would continue to be AAP’s face for the next Assembly election.
Addressing supporters during the event, he said the party’s primary objective should be ensuring that Mann returns to power for a second consecutive term. According to Kejriwal, the Punjab government’s performance over the past four years has strengthened public trust and generated widespread support for the ruling party.
The AAP leader participated in a roadshow in Bathinda alongside Bhagwant Mann, senior party leader Manish Sisodia and Punjab AAP president Aman Arora.
During his address, Kejriwal thanked voters for backing AAP in the recent municipal elections. He pointed to the party’s success in securing mayoral positions in the municipal corporations of Barnala, Moga, Batala and Bathinda, describing the victories as evidence of growing public confidence in AAP’s governance model.
He said the municipal election results reflected the approval of Punjab’s voters for the policies and performance of the state government.
Kejriwal also used the occasion to criticize opposition parties, though he refrained from naming them directly. Referring to rival groups as the “Chitta Party,” the “Fighting Party,” and the “ED Party,” he accused them of being associated with Punjab’s drug menace, internal factionalism, or the alleged misuse of central investigative agencies against political opponents.
Contrasting AAP with its rivals, Kejriwal described his party as one focused on public welfare, development and transparent governance.
Strongly backing Bhagwant Mann’s tenure as Chief Minister, Kejriwal described him as one of the most honest leaders Punjab has witnessed. He argued that unlike previous administrations, which frequently faced allegations of corruption and financial irregularities, Mann’s government had remained free from such controversies.
Kejriwal further claimed that if any wrongdoing had occurred, agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would have acted against the state leadership.
Highlighting the achievements of the AAP government, Kejriwal said the administration had implemented several welfare initiatives, including free electricity and health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh for residents.
He also announced that a financial assistance scheme for women would be launched from July. Under the programme, eligible women will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women belonging to Scheduled Caste communities will receive ₹1,500 per month.
The announcement is expected to become a key component of AAP’s outreach strategy as the party begins preparing for the next electoral contest in Punjab, whether held on schedule or earlier than anticipated.
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