Big Breaking: AAP Appoints Deepak Bali as Jalandhar Cantt In-charge; Likely to Take on Pargat Singh in 2027
Babushahi News Network
Chandigarh, October 15, 2026: In a significant organisational move ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has appointed senior party leader Deepak Bali as its Halqa In-charge for the Jalandhar Cantonment Assembly constituency, fuelling speculation that he could be the party’s candidate against Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh. Bali will be replacing Rajwinder Kaur Thiara.
Pargat Singh, a three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment, is a prominent Congress leader in Punjab. If AAP fields Bali from the constituency, the contest could emerge as one of the keenly watched political battles in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
For Bali, the appointment could mark a significant shift from organisational politics to electoral competition. Although he has held various responsibilities within the party, a Vidhan Sabha election would be his first direct electoral battle for a seat in the Punjab Assembly, if he is eventually nominated.
Who is Deepak Bali?
Deepak Bali is a Jalandhar-based political leader, businessman and social activist who has built his public profile through organisational work, cultural initiatives and his association with the Aam Aadmi Party.
He was appointed a general secretary of AAP Punjab in 2025, placing him among the party’s key organisational functionaries in the state. He has also been associated with the Punjab Government’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department in an advisory capacity, bringing him into the public spotlight through cultural and heritage-related activities.
Before becoming more prominent in electoral politics, Bali was associated with initiatives promoting Punjabi language and culture. His involvement with Punjabi Jagriti Manch and activities such as the annual Maa Boli Punjabi March in Jalandhar reflects his engagement with Punjabi linguistic and cultural causes.He has been also associated with organising The Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar for many years.
Bali has also participated in organising religious and cultural programmes across Punjab. In recent months, he has played an active role in events associated with “Shiv Ke Naam” and “Hamare Ram”. These initiatives have been viewed in political circles as part of AAP’s efforts to broaden its outreach among Hindu voters in the state.
Considered close to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Bali has largely worked within the party organisation rather than as an elected legislator. His appointment as Jalandhar Cantonment Halqa In-charge could therefore mark a new phase in his political career, potentially bringing him into direct electoral competition for the first time in a Punjab Assembly election.
Why Jalandhar Cantonment matters
The choice of Jalandhar Cantonment is politically significant because the constituency is represented by Pargat Singh, a three-time MLA and a prominent Congress leader who has recently taken over as Punjab Congress president.
A contest between Bali and Pargat Singh would bring together two leaders with different political profiles: Bali, an AAP organisational leader with a background in cultural initiatives, and Pargat Singh, a celebrated Hockey Olympion and an established legislator with a significant presence in Punjab politics.
Will Bali get the AAP ticket?
Although his appointment as Halqa In-charge has fuelled speculation about his candidature, AAP has not yet formally announced its candidate for Jalandhar Cantonment. The organisational appointment should not be treated as a confirmation of the party ticket.
If nominated, the election would offer Bali an opportunity to translate his organisational standing and political connections into electoral support. It would also test AAP’s ability to challenge an established Congress leader in his own constituency.