Punjab news & politics
The latest news from Punjab, where Bhagwant Mann (AAP) is Chief Minister. Most covered in the last 30 days: crime violence, protest opposition, corruption scam.
AAP's 40 candidates for 2027 Punjab elections spark controversy over alleged defection prevention
The Aam Aadmi Party announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, sparking controversy among the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP. Opposition leaders alleged the early move aims to prevent defections. While Saurabh Bhardwaj defended the selection and the renomination of jailed Sanjeev Arora, critics questioned the omission of prominent ministers from the initial list.
AAP, Congress, BJP and SAD make drug menace key campaign plank for 2027
Major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have made the drug menace a key campaign plank ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. While the AAP asserted that eradicating drugs is its “biggest priority”, the Opposition accused the government of failing to curb the trade and instead patronising it.
AAP announces 40 candidates for Punjab Assembly election on October 31, 2026
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced a list of 40 candidates for the Punjab Assembly election on October 31, 2026. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated the names were selected by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC). Key nominees include Amansher Singh, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, and Harmeet Singh Sandhu. The elections are expected to occur around February-March 2027.
AAP names first 40 Punjab candidates; BJP questions exclusion of Harjot Singh Bains
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) named its first 40 candidates for the Punjab state Assembly elections, due early next year. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is on the list to contest from the Dhuri seat again. The announcement followed a meeting at the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP later questioned why Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains was excluded from the list.
Punjab native detained for flying drone near Mattancherry synagogue and INS Dronacharya
The Mattancherry police detained Ashu Kumar Khanna, a 66-year-old Punjab native settled in Ontario, Canada, on Friday, October 30, 2026. He flew a drone without permissions near the Mattancherry synagogue, Coast Guard premises, and INS Dronacharya. He was booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Drone Rules before being released after receiving a notice.
Sukhbir Singh Badal proposes ₹5 industrial power and 10-year bail denial for drug offenders
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, announced on October 30, 2026, in Patiala that a future government would provide industrial power at ₹5 per unit. He proposed a ‘Build Punjab’ department to issue builder permissions within one month and allow solar plants to lower rates to ₹1.50 per unit. SAD also plans to deny bail for ten years to drug offenders.
BJP's Vijay Sampla cites 27.7% NEET rate against AAP's claim of 70,000 jobs
Bhagwant Singh Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party claimed 70,000 government jobs and improved education helped Punjab youth stay home. However, Vijay Sampla of the BJP countered on Friday that restrictive policies in Canada, Australia, and the UK caused migration slowdowns. He cited a 22.3 per cent unemployment rate for ages 15-29 and a 27.7 per cent NEET rate.
Sunil Jakhar questions alleged Rs 250 crore expenditure on AAP drug census
Sunil Jakhar of the BJP questioned the alleged Rs 250 crore expenditure on a drug census, demanding that the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government release findings. The survey began May 5, 2026, covering 65 lakh households with 28,000 employees. Harpal Singh Cheema and Baltej Singh Pannu rejected allegations, stating data is being analyzed for the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign.
Punjab Congress bans solo campaigns as internal wars slashed vote share to 22.98%
General Secretary KC Venugopal and Sachin Pilot issued a hardline rule in Chandigarh banning solo campaigns for the Punjab Congress ahead of 2027 elections. Following Pargat Singh replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, leaders like Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and Partap Singh Bajwa must follow collective strategy. Internal wars previously saw vote shares drop from 38.5% in 2017 to 22.98% in 2022.
Kewal Singh Dhillon, Punjab BJP president, promised that a BJP government would ensure 63%
Kewal Singh Dhillon, Punjab BJP president, promised that a BJP government would ensure 63% Dearness Allowance for state employees at par with central rates. He accused the AAP government of failing nearly eight lakh agitating employees regarding pending arrears. On October 27, the Punjab and Haryana High Court fined the government Rs 1 lakh, directing KAP Sinha to appear November 3.
Former Punjab Youth Congress general secretary shot and hit with axe in Ludhiana
Jagjot Singh, former general secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress, was shot at and hit with an axe by at least eight armed men in Ludhiana's Dholewal neighbourhood. The attack occurred while he, his mother Manjeet Kaur, and his three-year-old son were returning from a restaurant. Singh suffered critical injuries but escaped to a hospital. Police are investigating the incident.
Punjab Vigilance Bureau files supplementary chargesheet against Bikram Singh Majithia in Mohali case
On October 28, 2026, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau filed a supplementary chargesheet against Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case in Mohali. Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia of the Aam Aadmi Party claimed he earned ₹736 crore selling drugs. Majithia accused Kejriwal of misleading public attention, noting the Supreme Court gave the government until March 18, 2025, to establish allegations.
