: Political activity has intensified in Punjab’s Rupnagar district after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The absence of Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains’ name from the list has triggered speculation about his electoral plans, with the opposition BJP questioning whether he intends to contest from a different constituency.
 

BJP state vice-president Subhash Sharma took to social media and alleged that Bains had sensed the mood of voters in Anandpur Sahib and was looking for a politically safer constituency ahead of the elections.
 

However, Punjab Education and Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains dismissed these claims, making it clear that he had no intention of shifting from Anandpur Sahib. Responding to the speculation, he said, "I have to live in Anandpur Sahib and die here."
 

Bains clarified that the announcement of the first candidate list was part of AAP's planned electoral strategy. He pointed out that several ministers had also not been included in the initial list, but this did not mean they would not contest from their existing constituencies.
 

The minister accused opposition parties of unnecessarily creating controversy over the issue. He added that he would approach voters on the basis of the development work carried out in his constituency over the past five years.
 

Meanwhile, AAP's announcement of the candidature of sitting Rupnagar MLA Dinesh Chadha has generated enthusiasm among his supporters. Party workers celebrated the announcement by distributing sweets, viewing it as a sign of the leadership's confidence in the MLA's performance.
 

Chadha thanked the party leadership for reposing faith in him and said he would begin grassroots-level campaigning by highlighting the development projects undertaken in the constituency.
 

Political observers believe that announcing candidates well ahead of the elections could give party leaders sufficient time to mobilise workers, strengthen their organisational networks and prepare their election strategies.
 

According to party sources, AAP's decision to release its candidate list early is aimed at preventing rival parties from approaching and attempting to persuade its potential candidates to switch sides.
 

However, the exclusion of several prominent ministers and MLAs from the first list has provided opposition parties with an opportunity to target the ruling party.
 

The developments surrounding Anandpur Sahib and Rupnagar have already intensified political discussions in the district, even though the 2027 Assembly elections are still some time away.