The Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday released its first list of 69 candidates for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. It included the names of 17 first-time candidates and all state Cabinet ministers, besides those of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, PTI reported.

In a move to tackle potential anti-incumbency, the SAD has fielded existing legislators from seats different from the ones from which they were elected in the 2012 polls, Hindustan Times reported. The sons of at least four senior party leaders will also be contesting the elections. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal said they had tried to give representation to “every section”, adding that the second list of candidates will be released soon.

The SAD, which is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, will contest 94 of the total 117 seats during the Assembly polls. The Aam Aadmi Party has already announced the names of its 79 candidates for the elections.