Punjab Politics: AAP, BJP and SAD Intensify Campaigns Ahead of 2027 Assembly Election

Punjab Politics: Political activity in Punjab has intensified ahead of the Punjab Assembly Election 2027, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) stepping up rallies, yatras and grassroots outreach. Congress is also reorganising its state unit and preparing a wider campaign as the election approaches.

The political contest is increasingly focusing on drugs, governance, employment, welfare schemes, law and order, agriculture and the future direction of Punjab.

AAP Expands Ground-Level Election Campaign

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has formally started its election preparations and launched a door-to-door outreach programme known as “Ghar-Ghar Maan De Munafe.”

AAP workers are reaching voters across constituencies and distributing material highlighting what the party describes as the achievements of the Bhagwant Mann government. The party is also organising roadshows, public meetings and other programmes as it prepares to defend its record in the 2027 Assembly election.

The campaign gives AAP an opportunity to take its governance message directly to voters while also contrasting its record with previous governments.

BJP Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaign

The BJP has significantly expanded its political activities in Punjab through its Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra.

The campaign began on September 18 through four routes and covered nearly 4,000 kilometres across Punjab's 117 Assembly constituencies. The four yatras converged in Jalandhar on September 30, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a major rally.

The drug issue has become one of the BJP's major themes for the 2027 election. At the Jalandhar rally, Amit Shah said that if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, it would work toward making the state free of “chitta” by December 31, 2029. The BJP has also criticised the AAP government over its handling of the drug problem.

AAP and other political parties have responded by challenging the BJP's claims and highlighting the responsibility of successive governments in dealing with drug trafficking and addiction.

SAD Continues Punjab Bachao Outreach

The Shiromani Akali Dal has also increased its political activity ahead of the Assembly election.

The party has been conducting its “Punjab Bachao” rallies, with senior leaders participating in public programmes across the state. SAD has also launched a women-focused anti-drug campaign called “Maawan Diyan Insaaf Yatra.”

These programmes are part of the party's efforts to rebuild its grassroots presence and communicate directly with voters ahead of the 2027 contest.

Congress Begins Organisational Reorganisation

Congress has been preparing for the election while also dealing with organisational questions within its Punjab unit.

The party had appointed Sachin Pilot as Punjab Congress in-charge in early September. Congress subsequently held protests and political programmes, including a September 25 demonstration in Chandigarh concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress has also planned three separate surveys across all 117 Assembly constituencies to assess ground sentiment, social dynamics and potential candidates before the 2027 election.

Raja Warring Set to Be Replaced as Punjab Congress Chief

A significant organisational development came on October 1, when reports said the Congress high command had decided to replace Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.

According to the report, Warring has offered to resign, while Vijay Inder Singla, Pargat Singh, Rana KP Singh and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria are among the names being considered for the position. Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as a reported frontrunner, although the formal announcement of Warring's successor was still awaited at the time of the report.

The reported leadership change comes less than five months before the Assembly election and follows organisational consultations conducted by Sachin Pilot with senior Punjab Congress leaders.

Drug Issue Becomes a Major Political Battleground

The drug problem has emerged as one of the most prominent political issues in Punjab ahead of the 2027 election.

The BJP's Nasha Mukt Punjab campaign has placed the issue at the centre of its state-level outreach. SAD has also launched an anti-drug campaign, while AAP and Congress have criticised the previous SAD-BJP government and raised questions about the role of the Centre and earlier administrations.

The BJP has defended its previous role in Punjab politics, with state BJP president Kewal Dhillon pointing out that the party was the junior partner in the SAD-BJP government between 2007 and 2017.

The competing claims show that the drug issue is likely to remain an important part of political campaigning as the election draws closer.

Centre-Punjab Relations Also Remain in Focus

Relations between the Punjab government and the Centre continue to generate political debate.

One recent issue involved Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's proposed visit to Japan to attend the Asian Games hockey competition. The Centre did not grant political clearance for the proposed visit, citing security considerations, according to reports. The Punjab government had linked the visit to an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation and preparations related to Punjab's hosting of the Men's Asian Champions Trophy.

Such Centre-state issues could continue to feature in the political debate before the 2027 Assembly election.

Punjab Politics Enters an Active Pre-Election Phase

With the Punjab Assembly Election 2027 approaching, political parties are increasing their public outreach and organisational preparations.

AAP is focusing on its governance record and door-to-door mobilisation. BJP has expanded its statewide activities through the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra and major rallies. SAD is using Punjab Bachao programmes and its women's anti-drug campaign to strengthen its grassroots presence.

Congress, meanwhile, is preparing its statewide campaign while undertaking organisational changes and constituency-level surveys. The reported decision to replace Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president adds another significant development to the party's preparations.

The coming months are likely to see increased rallies, yatras, public meetings and policy announcements from the major parties. Issues such as drugs, governance, employment, agriculture, welfare, law and order and Centre-state relations are expected to remain central to the political discussion as Punjab moves toward the 2027 Assembly election.