Bathinda, Punjab —
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday suggested that Punjab’s next Assembly elections could be held earlier than expected, claiming that the polls may take place in November 2026 instead of their scheduled timeline in February 2027.
Addressing a public roadshow in Bathinda alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, Kejriwal urged party workers to prepare for an accelerated electoral contest and reaffirmed Mann as the party’s chief ministerial face for the next election.
“I have been told that the Assembly elections may be held in November this year rather than in February 2027. If that happens, only a few months remain, and we must begin preparations immediately,” Kejriwal told supporters during the gathering.
The remarks come at a time when the Aam Aadmi Party is seeking to consolidate its political position in Punjab following a strong performance in the recently concluded civic body elections across the state.
Kejriwal thanked voters for what he described as a significant endorsement of the party’s governance model. According to AAP, the party secured victories in 958 out of 1,977 wards across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats. The party also succeeded in securing the mayoral positions in the municipal corporations of Bathinda, Barnala, Moga and Batala.
Using the civic poll results as a measure of public sentiment, Kejriwal argued that the outcome reflected continued support for the AAP government after four years in office.
“AAP has been governing Punjab for four years, and people have expressed confidence in our work. The civic election results indicate that many voters remain satisfied with the direction of the government,” he said.
The former Delhi chief minister contrasted AAP’s tenure with those of previous governments, claiming that public dissatisfaction typically increased toward the end of earlier administrations, whereas his party continued to receive public support.
During his address, Kejriwal also highlighted several welfare initiatives introduced by the Punjab government, including free electricity for eligible households, health insurance coverage and financial assistance programmes targeted at various sections of society.
He said the government would continue implementing its welfare agenda and urged supporters to help secure another term for the party under Bhagwant Mann’s leadership.
Projecting Mann as AAP’s chief ministerial candidate for the next Assembly election, Kejriwal praised his record in office and described him as a leader who had maintained a clean public image during his tenure.
“Punjab has seen many chief ministers over the decades, but Bhagwant Mann has led the state with honesty and commitment. We want him to continue leading Punjab and complete the work that has been started,” Kejriwal said.
The AAP leader also launched a political attack on rival parties, accusing them of failing to address the aspirations of ordinary citizens. However, he maintained that AAP’s focus remained on governance, public welfare and service delivery.
While no official announcement has been made regarding any change in the Punjab Assembly election schedule, Kejriwal’s remarks are likely to trigger political debate and intensify preparations among all major parties in the state.
The next few months could prove crucial for Punjab’s political landscape, as parties position themselves ahead of what may become one of the most closely watched electoral contests in the country.