Punjab AAP names candidates in remaining 4 ‘tough’ constituencies; fields ex-SAD MLA Tinu in Jalandhar against Channi

These four seats posed a challenge to the AAP and it was unable to finalise the candidates. In Jalandhar (SC reserved) constituency, the party was left red-faced after its sitting MLA and nominated candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku joined the BJP. The AAP then poached Tinu from the SAD and gave him the ticket. Known for having deep pockets, Tinu is considered a vociferous Dalit leader in Punjab’s Doaba region.

In the other three constituencies, the party has nominated its sitting MLAs. If the AAP wins these seats, it would necessitate Assembly bypolls.

Formerly with the Congress, Pappi is also considered a grassroots leader. Sherry Kalsi was the party’s choice after poll surveys favoured him. Kaka Brar, on the other hand, was an agriculturist whose sister Gurpreet Kaur Gill was active in Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement. He later joined politics and was twice elected municipal councillor. He lost the 2017 Assembly elections on an AAP ticket.

The AAP earlier nominated five Cabinet ministers including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal in Amritsar, Laljit Singh Bhullar in Khadoor Sahib, Gurmeet Singh Khudian in Bathinda, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in Sangrur, and Dr Balbir Singh in Patiala. If all AAP candidates win, bypolls will have to be held in eight Assembly segments.

The party has also nominated incumbent Congress MLA Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur, Punjabi actor Karamjit Anmol in Faridkot and former Congress MLA Gurpreet Singh G P in Fatehgarh Sahib. Notably, Dr Chabbewal resigned from the Assembly last month, but his resignation is yet to be accepted.