Punjab: AAP releases first list of candidates

The AAP has released its first list for the party candidates on Thursday to contest the 2017 Assembly elections. Giving representation to youth and party volunteers, AAP’s list has the names of 19 candidates. The most prominent names in the list include H.S. Phoolka, who will be the party nominee from Dakha constituency and party spokesperson Himmat Singh Shergill, who will contest from SAS Nagar (Mohali) constituency.

Fulfilling its promise of releasing its list of party candidates well in advance, AAP has decided on 19 candidates for a total of 117 seats in Punjab six months prior to the elections. AAP’s first list is an eclectic mix of youth, sportsperson, ex-servicemen and lawyers. Releasing the list, the party in-charge for AAP, Sanjay Singh, said that while deciding on the candidates, the volunteers who are working hard for the party at the grassroots level are given preference. He said that a clean image of the candidates was the most important criterion while selecting them for the final list of the party.

In the list, the party has given representation to youth as AAP youth president, Harjit Singh Bains, has been given a ticket from Sanewal constituency. Mr Bains is 25- years old.

“By giving the party ticket to a young man like me who belongs to an ordinary family, the party has reposed faith in the youth of the state and made them a stakeholder in the politics of the state,” he said.

Similarly, Rupinder Kaur Ruby, who has been chosen by the party from Bathinda (rural) constituency, is 29 years-old and is doing her Ph.D. in law from Punjabi University.

Samarbir Singh Sindhu is another youth who has been chosen from Fazilka constituency.