At-least two current ministers could be shown the door, making space for newly elected Sanjeev Arora and new faces from Malwa, including a second-time MLA and potentially a woman legislator, in a move aimed at rejuvenating the party’s public image ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

ANURADHA MIGLANI/THE NEWS DOSE.COM

Chandigarh,June 24

Fresh from its emphatic bypoll victory in Ludhiana West, where AAP’s Sanjeev Arora clinched the seat with a comfortable margin and over 39% vote share, the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab is preparing for a Cabinet expansion that could have long-term political implications.

The win, seen as a much-needed morale booster for the party after setbacks in Delhi, has set in motion a political churn in Chandigarh. Arora, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha to contest the Assembly bypoll, is now set to be inducted as a Cabinet Minister within the week—fulfilling a pre-poll assurance made by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

However, this is not going to be a routine reshuffle. According to senior sources, at least two current ministers could be shown the door, making space for new faces from Malwa, including a second-time MLA and potentially a woman legislator, in a move aimed at rejuvenating the party’s public image ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The Punjab Cabinet currently has 16 ministers, though it can accommodate up to 18, including the Chief Minister. If executed as planned, this will mark the seventh reshuffle in the AAP government’s three-year tenure—an unusually high number reflecting both experimentation and internal flux. The last reshuffle occurred in September 2024, when five new ministers were inducted after four were dropped.

This anticipated reshuffle is also expected to coincide with a meeting of AAP’s Political Affairs Committee, where the party will deliberate on Arora’s replacement in the Rajya Sabha. Kejriwal has publicly stated that he will not seek a nomination, laying to rest speculation about his entry into Parliament through Punjab.

What’s Driving the Change?

• The reshuffle appears to be strategically timed to project internal dynamism and signal readiness for 2027.

• It is also being seen as a course correction, post the party’s underwhelming performance in Delhi.

• The leadership is reportedly assessing the “consideration zone” of MLAs, whose public engagement and performance are under review.

There is also talk of political resurgence from Majha, with a senior MLA from the region possibly finding favour with the leadership—another move to consolidate regional representation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sukhwinder Sukhi, an Akali MLA who switched to AAP last year, is also in focus. Party insiders suggest that his resignation from the Assembly could soon trigger a by-election in Banga, which AAP may be keen to contest with new vigour following the Ludhiana boost.