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

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal suggested Punjab Assembly elections could be held in November 2026, four months earlier than the previously announced February 2027 date. Speaking at a Bathinda roadshow alongside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal urged party workers to prepare for the polls and re-elect Mann as Punjab’s chief minister. The announcement followed AAP’s recent civic poll wins, where the party secured 958 of 1,977 wards across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 19 nagar panchayats. Kejriwal attributed the victories to the Mann government’s policies, including free electricity and a Rs 10 lakh health insurance scheme. He also highlighted upcoming financial aid for SC women, with Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 payments set to be disbursed in July. The AAP leader framed the civic results as a mandate for continued governance, claiming public satisfaction with the government’s work. During the event, Kejriwal criticized rival parties, labeling them as divisive, corrupt, or reliant on agencies like the ED. He contrasted AAP’s approach with past governments, asserting that Mann’s administration had avoided scams or allegations. Kejriwal also claimed opposition parties had united against AAP in recent local body elections, pooling resources to counter the government’s popularity. Mann, present at the roadshow, accused the BJP, Akali Dal, and Congress of collaborating to defeat AAP in municipal polls. He emphasized the government’s focus on welfare schemes and transparency, contrasting it with opposition tactics. The gathering included AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, reinforcing the party’s unity ahead of the potential early elections.