The upcoming Punjab assembly elections will see the BJP contesting 65 seats, while ex-Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s new Punjab Lok Congress party will fight for 37 seats, and the third partner in the alliance, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Samyukt) has got 15. 

Notably, Singh, who previously belonged and led Congress to victory, had an unceremonious exit before deciding to contest the 2022 elections with his new Punjab Lok Congress party. To that end, he announced his party’s first list of candidates for the 22 constituencies. Ajit Pal Singh, the ex-captain of the Indian hockey team, stands out as a prominent name. 

Also Read | Aam Aadmi Party releases list of three candidates for Punjab Elections 2022

Speaking at a press conference Captain Amarinder Singh said, “We have given a good set of candidates with a clear focus on winnability while ensuring due representation across regions and various sections of the society”. The chief of the Punjab Lok Congress also expressed confidence that all candidates are well known and respected in their constituencies and have strong political credentials.

Also Read | Punjab elections 2022: AAP’s Bhagwant Mann gets notice over COVID 19 rules violation

Singh himself will be contesting from Patiala Urban, his home constituency. Farzana Alam Khan is the only woman on the list of Singh’s candidates for now. She’s the wife of the late Izhar Alam Khan, who used to be a police chief. Farzana herself was a Shiromani Akali Dal MLA and will contest the upcoming election from Malwa. 

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal’s promises for Punjab ahead of polls: All you need to know

Singh has 37 seats to fight for, out of which 26 are in the Malwa region, which belonged to the former Patiala royal estate and Singh is at a distinct advantage due to the strong familial ties he has in these regions. It helped Singh swing the elections in favour of the Congress with his agricultural reforms, and since the farm laws have been revoked this time, it could go on to help the former chief minister. 

Polling for the 117-seat Punjab assembly elections will be conducted in a single phase on February 20. Votes will be counted and results declared on March 10.