Manjit Singh Sidhu Joins Congress Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections
Manjit Singh Sidhu, former Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has joined the Congress ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. He joined the opposition party in Chandigarh on October 13, 2026, in the presence of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Pargat Singh.
Sidhu’s decision has attracted political attention because of his long association with the Aam Aadmi Party and his previous role in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. He was associated with the AAP from its early years in Punjab and later worked closely with Mann on public relations and media-related responsibilities.
His move comes at a time when political parties are preparing their organisational strategies for the next Punjab Assembly election. The Congress is seeking to strengthen its position in the state, where the AAP currently governs.
Sidhu Says Punjab’s Interests Come First
Speaking after joining the Congress, Sidhu said his political priorities had always centred on Punjab and the country rather than any individual party. He recalled his association with the Aam Aadmi Party during its formative years and described his involvement as part of the party’s early political journey in the state.
Sidhu said his decision to join the Congress was based on his commitment to Punjab’s future and the welfare of its people. He indicated that his political choices were not motivated by personal ambitions or the pursuit of an official position.
He also clarified that he had not requested any post in the Congress. According to his remarks reported by news agencies, he said he was joining the party with the intention of working for Punjab rather than seeking a personal benefit.
His comments suggest that he wants his move to be understood as a political decision based on his views about the state’s future. However, the precise reasons behind his departure from the AAP have not been fully established through an independent account of all the circumstances.
Congress Welcomes Former AAP Functionary
Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh welcomed Sidhu into the party at Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh. Singh described Sidhu as someone who had contributed to building the AAP’s organisation in Punjab during its early years.
According to reports, Singh said Sidhu had subsequently been sidelined within the party and had been looking for a political platform that prioritised public welfare, social harmony and Punjab’s future.
The Congress leadership’s welcome highlights the political significance it attaches to the induction of a former functionary who was familiar with the ruling party’s internal operations and communication strategy.
However, the political impact of Sidhu’s entry into the Congress will depend on how actively he participates in the party’s organisational work and election campaign. Joining a political party does not automatically translate into electoral gains, and its wider significance will become clearer as the 2027 election approaches.
Who Is Manjit Singh Sidhu?
Before entering politics, Sidhu worked as a journalist for several Punjabi newspapers and held editorial positions. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014, when the party was expanding its political presence in Punjab.
Over the years, he became involved in the party’s media and communication operations. Reports indicate that he helped coordinate media-related activities, monitor coverage of the party and the Punjab government, and brief senior leaders on developments. He was also associated with the party’s state-level organisational structure.
His professional background in journalism and political communication made him a significant figure within the AAP’s media operations in Punjab. His long association with the party also brought him into close contact with Bhagwant Mann.
After the AAP formed the government in Punjab in 2022, Mann appointed Sidhu as his Officer on Special Duty for Public Relations in January 2023. The position placed him within the Chief Minister’s Office, where his responsibilities were connected to public relations and communication.
Sidhu resigned from the OSD position in November 2023, citing health reasons, according to published reports. His subsequent move to the Congress marks a new phase in his political career.
What Is the Significance of His Move?
Sidhu’s entry into the Congress is significant because he has experience working within the AAP’s organisational and communication structure. That background could be useful to the Congress as it prepares its messaging and campaign activities ahead of the next Assembly election.
For the opposition party, his induction offers an opportunity to highlight its efforts to attract people who were previously associated with the ruling party. It also provides the Congress with a former AAP functionary who has firsthand experience of the party’s political development in Punjab.
For the AAP, the departure of a former associate of the Chief Minister may draw attention to relationships within the party and the experiences of its former functionaries. Nevertheless, the political consequences of Sidhu’s decision should not be overstated without further evidence about its effect on party membership, local organisation or voter support.
The move also reflects the shifting political alignments that can occur before a major state election. Parties often seek to strengthen their public profile by bringing in leaders and experienced functionaries from rival organisations.
Punjab’s Political Landscape Ahead of 2027
The 2027 Punjab Assembly elections are expected to be an important political contest for the AAP, the Congress and other parties operating in the state. The Congress will aim to expand its organisational reach and present itself as a strong alternative to the incumbent government.
The AAP, meanwhile, will seek to defend its position and demonstrate public support for its administration. Political developments involving former officeholders and party functionaries are likely to form part of the broader debate as the election draws closer.
Sidhu’s experience in journalism, media management and the AAP’s organisational activities could provide the Congress with additional political and communications experience. Whether that translates into a measurable advantage will depend on his future responsibilities, the party’s strategy and developments across Punjab.
At present, the confirmed development is that Sidhu has joined the Congress and publicly stated that Punjab’s interests are his priority. He has also said he did not seek a party post. Any further assessment of his role in the Congress or the effect of his departure on the AAP will require additional developments and evidence.
