Punjab Polls 2027: AAP fields Sonia Mann from Congress stronghold Raja Sansi
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh, November 12, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Punjabi actress and party leader Sonia Mann from the Raja Sansi Assembly constituency for the 2027 Punjab elections, setting the stage for a contest in a seat where the Congress has maintained a strong presence.
Mann, who was appointed AAP's constituency in-charge for Raja Sansi in June 2025, is the daughter of farmer leader Baldev Singh, who was associated with the Kirti Kisan Union and participated in the farmers' agitation.
The main political figure she could face is sitting Congress MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, popularly known as Sukh Sarkaria. He has represented Raja Sansi for four consecutive terms, winning the 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections. However, the Congress has yet to officially announce its candidate for the 2027 polls.
The 2022 election figures underline the close contest in the constituency. Sarkaria won with 46,872 votes, defeating Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Vir Singh Lopoke, who secured 41,398 votes. AAP's then candidate Baldev Singh Miadian finished third with 37,426 votes.
Sarkaria's winning margin was 5,474 votes, while the AAP candidate was 9,446 votes behind the winner.
Miadian later left the AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His name has figured in political discussions as a possible BJP contender from Raja Sansi, but the party has not officially announced its candidate.
Mann has been active in the constituency since her appointment as its AAP in-charge. She had also been given responsibility for the party's Nasha Mukti Morcha in the Majha zone, a charge she later relinquished, saying she wanted to focus on strengthening the party in Raja Sansi.