Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its candidates for the by-elections in Punjab, scheduled to take place in four seats on November 13.
The party has made Dimpy Dhillon, who left Akali Dal and joined AAP, its candidate from Giddarbaha. From Dera Baba Nanak, the AAP has named Gurdeep Singh Randhawa as its candidate. The party has fielded former Congress leader Raj Kumar Chabewal's son Ishan Chabewal from Hoshiarpur, while Harinder Singh Dhaliwal has been given a ticket from Barnala.
The by-elections for the four assembly seats in Punjab will be held on November 13, and the results will be out on November 23.
Political Dynamics On 4 Seats
Gidderbaha seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ludhiana early this year. In 2022, Pritpal Sharma was the AAP candidate from Giddarbaha. However, this year they chose Dimpy Dhillon, probably taking a gamble on a defector, as the long-time Akali Dal loyalists switched sides.
Similarly, Chabbewal bypoll was necessitated after Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Congress MLA who later joined the AAP, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur. Ishan Chabewal’s candidacy from Chabbewal is significant as AAP is banking on his father's popularity and past successes. However, the party is facing opposition from some leaders and workers, as Harminder Singh Sandhu, who was previously fielded against senior Chabewal, was ignored this time.
The Barnala seat fell vacant after Hayer, who won in 2017 and 2022, was elected to the Lok Sabha. This seat too is marred with controversies. Gurdeep Singh Bath, who was seen as a potential candidate, was overlooked over Dhaliwal as the latter has a close association with Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, which may impact the results.
