Chandigarh. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suffered another setback in Punjab politics. Laljit Singh Bhullar, former cabinet minister of the party and MLA from Patti assembly seat of Tarn Taran district, has refused to contest the assembly elections to be held in 2027. He issued a message on social media informing about his decision and thanked the people of Patti area for their support. Bhullar is currently in jail in a case related to the suicide of a government official.
What was said in the social media post?
Laljit Bhullar said in his message that he has received information that the people of Patti assembly constituency want the Aam Aadmi Party to field him once again. However, he has decided not to contest the elections this time. He thanked the people of the area for their love, respect and trust and said that he would always be grateful for their support.
Former minister has been in jail since March
Bhullar has been the Transport and Jail Minister in the Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, died on March 21, 2026. Bhullar's name came up in this case after the allegations made by Randhawa's family. The police had registered a case against him under various sections including abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation.
Bhullar had resigned from the post of minister after the case. The police arrested him on 23 March. Since then he is in judicial custody. In this case, the names of his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar and personal assistant Dilbag Singh are also included in the FIR. The allegations against Bhullar have not yet been proved in the court and the legal process is ongoing.
Party appointed new light in-charge in Patti
After Bhullar's arrest, Aam Aadmi Party had made organizational changes in Patti assembly constituency. The party appointed former wrestler Jaskawar Singh Gill, also known as Jassa Patti, as the party in-charge. Since this appointment, discussions were going on about the party's next candidate for Patti seat.
AAP has released the first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, but it does not include Patti seat. After Bhullar's announcement of not contesting the elections, the discussion about the party's next candidate on this seat may intensify.
Distance from elections, but no announcement of leaving the party
Laljit Singh Bhullar in his message has only said that he will not contest the upcoming assembly elections. He has not made any announcement of leaving the Aam Aadmi Party, resigning from the post of MLA or retiring from politics completely. He has not even explained the reason for his decision. In such a situation, at present his announcement is limited to not becoming a candidate in the 2027 assembly elections.