AAP Puts Mann at Centre of 2027 Punjab Campaign Amid Religious Censure

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is repositioning its strategy for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, due in early 2027, by placing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as the central figure of its campaign. This marks a departure from the 2022 elections, when party convener Arvind Kejriwal dominated the party's messaging.

The shift comes at a politically sensitive time. Mann faces sustained opposition attacks and a recent censure from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs. On June 15, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj declared Mann “Guru dokhi” (anti-Guru) and “Khalsa panth virodhi” (anti-Khalsa panth) over an alleged sacrilege video. The religious body stated that forensic analysis confirmed the video's authenticity, contradicting Mann's claim that it was AI-generated. Mann has dismissed the allegations as a “politically motivated conspiracy” and accused religious authorities of acting at the behest of political rivals.

The Akal Takht's statement triggered demands for Mann's resignation from opposition parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite this, the AAP has intensified its projection of Mann as the party's face. On June 12, Kejriwal announced in Bathinda that Mann would remain the chief ministerial candidate for 2027. The party subsequently released a new slogan: “Punjab da eko naara, Bhagwant Mann dobara” (Punjab has only one slogan: Bhagwant Mann again). This slogan has been displayed at the party's “Lok Milni” public outreach events across the state.

In contrast, the AAP's 2022 campaign was built around Kejriwal's “Delhi model” of governance. Slogans like “Ek mauka Kejriwal nu” (one chance for Kejriwal) and “Kejriwal-Kejriwal, saara Punjab tere naal” (Kejriwal, all of Punjab is with you) dominated. After Mann was named the chief ministerial face in January 2022, the slogan was adjusted to include both leaders, but Kejriwal remained the primary campaigner. The strategy paid off, with the AAP winning 92 of 117 seats, reducing the incumbent Congress to 18.

Now, the party is leveraging Mann's incumbency. Social media platforms increasingly feature videos highlighting his government's achievements, such as job appointments, canal cleaning, and ration distribution. One video takes a swipe at opposition unity with the line: “Tu ek passe Mann kalla, duje sare kathe ho gaye aa” (you stand alone, Mann, while all others have come together).

The decision to center Mann despite the religious controversy underscores the AAP's bet on his appeal among Punjab's electorate. With eight months left before the elections, the party is banking on continuity and a strong regional identity to counter opposition efforts to depict Mann as isolated and controversial.