Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh join the BJP in New Delhi following growing differences with the Aam Aadmi Party, adding a new dimension to Punjab's political contest ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Three leaders associated with Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on Monday, November 2, 2026, ahead of the state's 2027 Assembly elections.
The leaders are Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. Their induction took place at the BJP headquarters in the presence of senior party leaders, including Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and BJP national general secretary and Punjab in-charge Satish Poonia.
The political development comes amid growing differences within the AAP in Punjab, following the party's announcement of its first list of 40 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.
The departure of the three leaders has brought renewed attention to the internal political developments within Punjab's ruling party as political parties prepare for the next electoral contest.
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Who Are the Three AAP Leaders Who Joined the BJP?
The three leaders come from different political backgrounds and represented constituencies across Punjab.
1. Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra – Sanaur
Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra represented the Sanaur Assembly constituency in Patiala district. He won the seat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, defeating Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Harinder Pal Singh Chandumajra.
Pathanmajra's relationship with the AAP government had reportedly deteriorated over disagreements concerning governance and political issues.
He was also involved in legal controversies after cases were registered against him in 2025. He was arrested in Madhya Pradesh in March 2026 and subsequently granted bail in both cases in May 2026, according to published reporting.
Following his entry into the BJP, Pathanmajra alleged that leaders raising concerns about Punjab and their constituencies were being targeted. He also expressed confidence that the BJP could address issues such as drug-related crime in the state.
2. Chetan Singh Jouramajra – Samana
Chetan Singh Jouramajra represented the Samana Assembly constituency in Patiala district.
After winning the seat in 2022, he became a member of the Punjab Cabinet in July that year and served as the Health and Family Welfare Minister.
He subsequently lost the health portfolio in January 2023 and was eventually dropped from the Cabinet in September 2024.
His political position within the party reportedly weakened further after former Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra joined the AAP in May 2026 and was appointed as the party's constituency in-charge in Samana.
After joining the BJP, Jouramajra criticised the AAP government's functioning, raising concerns about the influence of Delhi-based leadership over Punjab's administration and the ability of elected representatives to access central government support.
3. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh – Amritsar North
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who entered electoral politics after joining the AAP in July 2021.
He won the Amritsar North Assembly constituency in the 2022 Punjab elections.
Before entering politics, Singh was associated with the investigation into the 2015 Kotkapura police firing case. His departure from the AAP follows years of differences with the party leadership.
In June 2025, he was suspended from the AAP for five years over alleged anti-party activities.
On November 2, 2026, Singh announced his resignation from the Punjab Legislative Assembly and the AAP. His Assembly resignation was accepted by Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, according to PTI reporting.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Singh described his five-year association with the AAP as an "internship period" and said he would work towards restoring peace and prosperity in Punjab.
Why Did the Three Leaders Leave the AAP?
The departures came shortly after the AAP announced its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
The timing has drawn attention because Pathanmajra and Jouramajra resigned from the AAP's primary membership on Sunday, November 1. Their names were not included in the announced list.
The third leader, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, had already been suspended from the party in 2025 before announcing his resignation from the Assembly and joining the BJP.
Reports have also pointed to differences involving political influence, constituency-level leadership and the functioning of the state government.
While the three leaders have raised different concerns, their collective move to the BJP represents a notable change in Punjab's political landscape ahead of the next Assembly elections.
What Did the BJP Say?
Welcoming the three leaders, BJP national general secretary and Punjab in-charge Satish Poonia said their political, social and administrative backgrounds would strengthen the party in Punjab.
He raised concerns over the drug menace, corruption and crime in the state and criticised the AAP government's record on these issues.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon also welcomed the new members and indicated that other political leaders could follow them into the party.
The BJP has been seeking to expand its political presence in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
How Did the AAP Respond?
The Aam Aadmi Party sought to downplay the significance of the departures.
According to The Indian Express, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said the party had already distanced itself from the three leaders and maintained that their departure would not affect the party's prospects in the upcoming elections.
The response reflects the contrasting positions taken by the two political parties following the defections.
While the BJP has presented the induction as an addition to its Punjab leadership, the AAP has maintained that the exits will not affect its political standing.
What Does This Mean for the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections?
The latest political developments have added another dimension to the preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
The BJP's induction of three leaders with previous experience in the AAP government gives the party additional political figures with knowledge of Punjab's constituencies and state-level administration.
For the AAP, the departures come at a time when the party is preparing its candidate selection process and dealing with internal disagreements.
Punjab's next Assembly election will involve major political questions, including employment, agricultural concerns, public finances, law and order, drug-related challenges and the performance of the incumbent government.
Whether the latest defections will influence electoral outcomes will depend on several factors, including voter response, candidate selection, party organisation and local political conditions.
For now, the joining of Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh marks a significant development in Punjab politics as parties begin preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections.
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