18 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has appointed former Shiromani Akali Dal minister Surjit Singh Rakhra as its halqa in-charge for Samana in Punjab’s Patiala district, ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The appointment was announced on Thursday as part of a wider organisational reshuffle by the party in Punjab. AAP has also appointed Balvir Singh, popularly known as Pala Jalalpur, as halqa in-charge for Shahkot.
Rakhra’s Political Background
Rakhra has a longstanding political base in Samana. He represented the constituency as an MLA on a SAD ticket in 2002 and 2012 and served as a minister in the Parkash Singh Badal-led Punjab government.
During his time in the SAD government, he held ministerial responsibilities including Revenue and Rehabilitation. He remained associated with the SAD until 2022 before subsequently moving away from the party.
He later joined the breakaway SAD (Punar Surjit) faction before switching to AAP in May 2026. His induction into AAP took place in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Samana Already Has an AAP MLA
The Samana Assembly constituency is currently represented by AAP MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra, who won the seat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly election.
Rakhra’s appointment as halqa in-charge has led to speculation in political circles about the party’s plans for the constituency in the 2027 election. However, the appointment of a halqa in-charge does not itself constitute a final candidate announcement.
Wider Organisational Reshuffle
Rakhra’s appointment is part of a broader AAP exercise to appoint or change halqa in-charges across Punjab ahead of the next Assembly election.
The party has also made appointments in constituencies including Kharar, Chamkaur Sahib and Bathinda Rural, among others. Several Opposition-held constituencies have also received new AAP halqa in-charges.
Shahkot Gets New In-Charge
Alongside Rakhra’s appointment, AAP named Balvir Singh (Pala Jalalpur) as halqa in-charge for Shahkot.
Shahkot is currently represented by Congress MLA Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia. Balvir Singh, a prominent kabaddi player from the area, joined AAP earlier this year and has since become active in local politics.
Rakhra’s Switch to AAP
Rakhra’s move to AAP followed his departure from the Akali camp.
At the time of his joining AAP in May, Rakhra cited issues including the anti-sacrilege legislation and said he believed the government had taken steps on issues important to Punjab. His joining was accompanied by the entry of members of his family and supporters into AAP.
Political Significance Ahead of 2027
The appointments come as Punjab’s political parties begin strengthening their constituency-level organisations ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.
AAP’s latest round of appointments includes both constituencies represented by its own MLAs and seats held by Opposition parties, indicating a broader organisational exercise rather than appointments limited to one type of constituency.
Focus on Ground-Level Organisation
Party functionaries appointed as halqa in-charges have been asked to work at the grassroots level, according to The Tribune.
Their responsibilities generally include strengthening local party structures, maintaining contact with workers and voters, and coordinating constituency-level political activity.
2027 Ticket Decision Remains Open
Although Rakhra’s appointment has prompted speculation about whether he could contest from Samana for AAP in 2027, the party has not announced its final candidate list for the constituency.
For now, Rakhra’s formal role is that of halqa in-charge, while Jouramajra remains the sitting AAP MLA from Samana.