Punjab Assembly elections: Kejriwal says polls may be in November 2026, backs Bhagwant Mann

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said Punjab Assembly elections could be advanced to November 2026 from February 2027 and urged party workers to prepare. Speaking at a Bathinda roadshow with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, he cited AAP’s civic poll results, including mayor wins, and credited the Mann government’s work.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday that Punjab Assembly elections may be advanced. Kejriwal claimed the polls could happen in November 2026, not February 2027. Kejriwal also named Bhagwant Mann as AAP’s chief ministerial face. Kejriwal told supporters AAP must return Mann to office.

Kejriwal made the remarks during a roadshow in Bathinda with Mann. Manish Sisodia and Punjab AAP president Aman Arora also joined. Kejriwal linked the message to AAP’s civic poll outcome last month. On Thursday, AAP councillors became mayors in Barnala, Moga, Batala and Bathinda.

Punjab Assembly elections claim by Arvind Kejriwal

Kejriwal told the gathering that the election timeline could shift forward. "I have been told that the polls will be held in November 2026, not February 2027. So, only four months are left now. We all must get to work and make Bhagwant Mann the chief minister again,\" Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal thanked voters for what Kejriwal called a strong civic mandate. AAP won 958 of 1,977 wards across the state. The results covered eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats. Kejriwal said this showed support after four years of AAP rule in Punjab.

Punjab civic polls and Bathinda Municipal Corporation results

Kejriwal credited AAP’s Bathinda Municipal Corporation sweep to the Mann government’s work. Kejriwal said the last four years included honest governance and pro-people decisions. Kejriwal also compared AAP with past state governments. Kejriwal said public anger usually rose against them in their final year.

Speaking about voter sentiment, Kejriwal said the civic results showed approval. \"We came to politics to do work. I see smiles on peoples faces and feel good that after four years, people are liking our work. In Bathinda civic polls, you gave a grand victory to us and put a stamp of approval that we are doing good work. The smile on your faces says that you are happy with our work,\" Kejriwal claimed.

Arvind Kejriwal targets rival parties in Punjab politics

Kejriwal said Punjab had four main parties, including AAP. Without taking names, Kejriwal attacked three rivals using labels. \"There is one which people call the chitta adulterated heroin party. The other is the jhagda party whose leaders keep fighting among themselves. The third is the ED party, which uses the agency to threaten people. And the fourth is the Aam Aadmi Party, your own party, which works for the people.\"

Kejriwal praised Mann’s record and described Mann as corruption-free. Kejriwal said earlier chief ministers faced scams and allegations. Kejriwal said none were made against Mann in four years. \"If he faced any allegation, do you think Modi would have spared Mann? He would have been hounded by ED and CBI raids,\" Kejriwal said.

Bhagwant Mann government schemes and July payments

Kejriwal listed welfare measures and promised more work. Kejriwal said AAP provided free power and Rs 10 lakh health cover. Kejriwal also said financial aid was planned for SC women. Kejriwal said Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 would reach women’s accounts from July.

Chief Minister Mann alleged opposition parties worked together in the local body elections. \"The people of Punjab must know that the BJP, the Akalis and the Congress fought the recent local body elections hand-in-hand. They pooled their resources, aligned their strategies and ran a unified under-the-table campaign against the AAP government. They were terrified of an honest government that is serving the people. They realised that if AAP continues its journey of public service, their shops of corruption will shut permanently. But Punjabs politically aware and farsighted people saw through this nexus and delivered a decisive verdict in favour of AAP.\"

Mann said voters rejected the three parties during the polls. \"People picked up the broom and swept all three parties aside. The mandate reflected peoples faith in honest politics and their rejection of parties that repeatedly failed them.\" Mann also repeated AAP’s focus on a prosperous and healthy Punjab.

Mann said the government would keep working for all sections of society. \"I will continue serving the people with complete dedication. The AAP government is working tirelessly for the welfare of every section of society, and no stone is being left unturned to ensure the progress and well-being of Punjab and its people.\" Mann also called agriculture Punjab’s economic backbone.

Mann assured farmers of continued government support for farming needs. Mann said the goal was stronger agriculture and higher productivity. Kejriwal, meanwhile, tied AAP’s civic results to its four-year record in office. Kejriwal urged workers to prepare early if the Punjab election schedule moves to November 2026.

With inputs from PTI