Archive · 27 Aug 2026
AAP Gives Former BSP Chief Chamkaur Sahib Charge
The Aam Aadmi Party has given Jasvir Singh Garhi responsibility for its work in Chamkaur Sahib.
Garhi used to lead the Bahujan Samaj Party in Punjab.
He joined the AAP in January 2025 and now heads the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission.
Chamkaur Sahib is important because many Scheduled Caste voters live there.
The constituency is also strongly linked with Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi.
Garhi has been involved in several caste-related disputes while leading the commission.
He has contested two elections but lost both.
AAP wants him to build its local organisation before the 2027 election.
This appointment does not yet mean that Garhi will be AAP’s candidate.
The Aam Aadmi Party appointed former Bahujan Samaj Party Punjab chief Jasvir Singh Garhi as its Chamkaur Sahib constituency in-charge.
Garhi currently heads the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission and joined the AAP in January 2025.
Chamkaur Sahib has a substantial Scheduled Caste electorate and is closely associated with former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
Garhi previously contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly election from Phagwara and the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Anandpur Sahib, losing both.
The appointment is intended to strengthen AAP’s organisation in Chamkaur Sahib ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.
- Who
- The Aam Aadmi Party and Jasvir Singh Garhi, a former Bahujan Samaj Party Punjab chief and current Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission chairman.
- What
- AAP appointed Garhi as its constituency in-charge for Chamkaur Sahib.
- When
- The appointment was made as AAP begins preparing for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election; Garhi joined AAP in January 2025.
- Where
- Chamkaur Sahib constituency in Punjab.
- Why
- AAP aims to strengthen its organisation in a constituency with a substantial Scheduled Caste electorate and a strong association with Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi.
AAP’s Organisational Strategy
Congress’s Existing Position
Political approach in Chamkaur Sahib
AAP’s Organisational Strategy
AAP is placing an experienced Dalit organiser in charge early to build its local network and keep workers active before the 2027 election.
Congress’s Existing Position
Congress retains an established connection to the constituency through Charanjit Singh Channi, who has represented the seat for several terms.
Garhi’s political role
AAP’s Organisational Strategy
AAP’s appointment gives Garhi a prominent organisational role based on his experience in Dalit politics and his visibility as SC Commission chairman.
Congress’s Existing Position
Garhi’s previous electoral record is less successful: he lost contests from Phagwara in 2022 and Anandpur Sahib in 2024, and the appointment does not confirm that he will receive the AAP ticket.
- AAP appointee
- Jasvir Singh Garhi
- New responsibility
- AAP constituency in-charge for Chamkaur Sahib
- Current public role
- Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission
- Political background
- Former Punjab president of the Bahujan Samaj Party
- Previous elections
- Contested Phagwara in the 2022 Assembly election and Anandpur Sahib in the 2024 Lok Sabha election; lost both
- Target election
- 2027 Punjab Assembly election
- Chamkaur Sahib context
- The seat has a substantial Scheduled Caste electorate and has been represented by Charanjit Singh Channi for several terms