India, Aug. 9 -- Nearly months before Punjab votes in the 2027 Assembly elections, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has entered what political observers describe as the most crucial phase of its electoral strategy. Not through mass rallies or aggressive campaigning, but by placing government welfare programmes at the centre of everyday life.

From expanding social assistance to rolling out fresh public welfare initiatives and highlighting improvements in education, healthcare and subsidised utilities, the Bhagwant Mann government has intensified its focus on schemes that reach households directly. While the party insists these are long-promised governance commitments, the timing has triggered a political debate over whether Punjab is witn...