The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab is heading towards a crucial test, with the Assembly elections in the state slated to be held next year. Politics has already heated up in Punjab, which will most likely witness a three-pronged fight in the Assembly polls, given the alliance buzz between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Congress has also made changes to its Punjab leadership, with former India Hockey captain Pargat Singh taking charge from Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
Apart from politics, the opposition in Punjab has also cornered the ruling AAP government over a number of issues, including rising unemployment, farmers' demands, drug abuse and law and order. Punjab has also witnessed several murder cases in the past month. Several videos have also gone viral showing youths in an intoxicated condition, with Congress, SAD and BJP targeting the AAP government over “inaction” against drug use.
In this article, The Daily Jagran explains the issues which can possibly shape the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab.
1. Unemployment
Unemployment remains a major concern in Punjab, especially among young people. Many youngsters move to other states or countries in search of better jobs, higher salaries and better career opportunities.
According to a National Statistics Office (NSO) report, Punjab holds the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 per cent for individuals aged 15 and above compared to Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
The report also reveals that Punjab has a high share of young people who are neither working, studying, receiving training, nor preparing for competitive exams like NEET or JEE.
Despite this, Punjab's Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) sits at 55.2 per cent, indicating a large portion of the working-age population is actively seeking or engaged in work.
As AAP seeks another term, it will need to show what it has done to create employment opportunities and what steps it plans to take to reduce unemployment and migration.
2. Farmers' Issues
Agriculture plays a major role in Punjab's economy, and many families depend on farming for their income. This makes farmers' concerns an important issue in state politics.
Punjab farmers face deep environmental, economic, and policy challenges centred around MSP-related issues, Stubble burning penalties, debt, and strict banking facilities.
The main problem lies with the MSP. According to the National Commission on Farmers (NCF), chaired by Dr M.S. Swaminathan, it recommended fixing the MSP at least 50 per cent above the C2 cost, which includes A2+FL.
They want the government to provide the rental value of their land and the interest on their farm machinery.
Farmers face strict penalties for stubble burning, notably a 15-month "red entry" in land revenue records that blocks them from selling property or securing agricultural loans. This restriction doubles to 30 months for repeat fires or unpaid environmental fines, which are tiered at Rs 5,000 for under 2 acres, Rs 10,000 for 2 to 5 acres, and Rs 30,000 for over 5 acres.
Small-scale farmers are increasingly burdened by debt and restrictive banking policies driven by high production costs, fragmented landholdings, and lower profit margins. Commercial banks have tightened lending standards, requiring higher upfront cash deposits to qualify for agricultural loans while barring farmers from accessing subsidised, discounted credit from multiple institutions simultaneously. These financial hurdles are further compounded by ongoing challenges such as stubble burning penalties and the restrictive "red entry" trap in land records.
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3. Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking
Drug abuse remains one of Punjab's most critical social problems, tearing apart families and raising serious concerns about the future of the state's youth.
According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, at least 106 people in Punjab died of an alleged drug overdose in 2024.
The report, released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), places Punjab second nationally in overall drug-related rates. Punjab recorded 29 NDPS Act cases per lakh population, second only to Kerala. Nationally, the state registered 8,973 cases under the NDPS Act, placing it fourth in total volume.
While Kerala leads the country in drug possession for personal consumption, Punjab witnessed the highest number of drug trafficking cases in the nation. In 2024, Punjab registered 6,060 cases for drug trafficking, followed by Uttar Pradesh (3,219), Rajasthan (2,758), Tamil Nadu (2,753), and Maharashtra (2,324).
Punjab also recorded the highest number of inmate deaths in jails due to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in 2024, with 23 and 24 deaths, respectively. Overall, 44 jail inmates died due to HIV, with more than half of those fatalities occurring in Punjab.
4. Law and Order
Law and order remains a major issue in Punjab. Concerns regarding gang-related violence, organised crime, extortion, and drug trafficking continue to raise questions about public safety.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) annual report for 2024, Punjab witnessed a 73.78 per cent increase in cybercrime cases between 2023 and 2024, though convictions remained low at just 20.8 per cent. The data reveals that 888 cybercrime cases were registered in the state in 2024, compared to 511 in 2023 and 697 in 2022. Furthermore, chargesheets were filed in only 48.1 per cent of the 888 cases registered in 2024.
Violent incidents continue to draw public alarm. On October 3, social media influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead in Amritsar outside a car wash where he had gone to collect his vehicle. Two men on a motorcycle fired two to three rounds at close range before fleeing the scene. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested the accused shooter.
However, the Punjab Police have reported a significant positive development, claiming a decline of up to 69 per cent in gangster-related murders and firing incidents between January and March 2026, following the launch of the "Gangstran Te Vaar" operation.
5. Education and Healthcare
Education and healthcare are major priorities for Punjab's voters. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power with firm promises to overhaul government schools and make healthcare more accessible.
Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the AAP government has since introduced several key infrastructure and policy initiatives in both sectors.
Among these is the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana,' launched in Chandigarh in 2025, which introduced health cards entitling every family in Punjab to Rs 10 lakh worth of free, cashless treatment annually at any government or empanelled private hospital.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed that since coming to power, the government has built 881 Mohalla Clinics in just three years. Last year, he further stated that the administration plans to build a total of 1,000 Mohalla Clinics within this timeframe.
The government has also rolled out a Health Card Scheme to cover major treatments requiring hospitalisation. The card covers if anyone falls seriously ill, the government provides completely free treatment without a single rupee charged, even at the time of admission.
Furthermore, Kejriwal noted that 19,200 of Punjab's 19,700 government schools have already been transformed, with work underway in the remaining 500. Punjab ranks number one in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index (SEQI) 2026, surpassing traditionally top-performing states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
6. Political Parties and Leadership
The 2027 election will also be a test of leadership for Punjab's major political parties.
In the 2022 Assembly election, AAP won 92 of the state's 117 seats, securing a clear majority. The Congress won 18 seats, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won three and the BJP won two.
However, the political situation has changed since then. The reported exit of prominent AAP leaders could create challenges for the ruling party as it tries to retain power.
Meanwhile, there has been speculation about a possible reunion between the SAD and BJP. The two parties have not confirmed any such alliance, but a tie-up could change the political contest if it happens.
The SAD has been targeting AAP over the drug problem in Punjab. The party has claimed that drugs were not being sold openly on the streets during the previous SAD-BJP government and that young people were not seen with syringe-poked arms.
Similarly, the Congress has also been facing internal differences ahead of the election. Disagreements over leadership and the party's organisational structure could affect its preparations for the polls.
Despite just a few months remaining before the assembly elections, internal conflict within the Punjab Congress persists. The party has been grappling with an internal crisis for months, driven by Charanjit Singh Channi’s demands for an organisational reshuffle. Channi stated that the party's electoral performance would improve if Amarinder Raja Warring were removed from the top post.
Congress MP Amarinder Raja Warring has now resigned following months of infighting with several senior leaders.
Former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh has been appointed as the new Punjab Congress president. Only time will tell how this leadership change will impact state politics.
Conclusion
The Punjab Assembly Election 2027 will be an important test for AAP, which will seek to retain power by highlighting its work in government. The Congress, BJP and SAD will try to convince voters that they can offer better solutions to the state's problems.
Unemployment, farmers' demands, drug abuse, law and order, education and healthcare are likely to remain key issues during the campaign.