Chandigarh/Alive News: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its second list of 31 candidates for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann released the list at a press conference, taking the party’s total number of declared candidates to 71.
Mann said the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) finalised the names after considering survey reports and public feedback. Earlier, on October 31, AAP had announced its first list of 40 candidates, which included all sitting MLAs, including the Chief Minister.
Two MPs to contest Assembly elections
In its second list, AAP has fielded two sitting MPs in the Assembly elections. Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer will contest from Barnala, while Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal has been given a ticket from Phagwara.
The party has also included leaders who recently joined AAP from other political parties. Former Akali Dal MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu will contest from Adampur, while former BJP leader Swaran Salaria has been fielded from Sujanpur.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian dropped
AAP has denied a ticket to Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian from the Lambi Assembly seat. The party has instead nominated Randhir Singh Dhira Khuddian from the constituency.
Former minister and sitting MLA Anmol Gagan Mann has also been denied a ticket from Kharar.
The latest list indicates changes in the party’s candidate selection, with several existing leaders being replaced and new entrants getting an opportunity to contest the Assembly elections.
