Ludhiana (National Times): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora emerged victorious in the high-stakes Ludhiana West Assembly by-election on Sunday, dealing a blow to the Congress and solidifying the ruling party’s hold in Punjab’s urban political landscape.
Arora’s win comes months after the seat fell vacant due to the untimely death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. The by-election had seen intense campaigning and sharp political rhetoric, particularly between AAP and Congress. With this win, AAP retains a crucial urban seat at a time when it is under pressure following setbacks in Delhi.
According to official data from the Election Commission, Sanjeev Arora secured a comfortable lead over his closest rival, Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu, despite early reports suggesting a tight contest. BJP’s Jiwan Gupta and SAD’s Parupkar Singh Ghumman trailed behind.
The bypoll had attracted attention not only because of the seat’s urban importance but also due to Arora’s high-profile candidacy. A businessman-turned-politician and one of Punjab’s wealthiest MPs, Arora’s selection by the party had initially triggered criticism from opposition leaders who labeled him an “outsider” and questioned his understanding of Ludhiana’s grassroots issues.
However, his victory indicates that the voters chose development over rhetoric.
The Ludhiana West constituency, with a voter base of over 1.7 lakh, had witnessed a relatively peaceful voting day marred only by minor allegations of irregularities. Security remained tight throughout the day of counting, with over 400 police personnel deployed.
This win is also significant for AAP as it comes at a time when opposition parties are attempting to consolidate ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Congress had hoped to stage a comeback with Ashu, a seasoned politician and former minister, while BJP’s rising vote share in recent Lok Sabha elections had raised speculation of a potential urban breakthrough.
In the end, it was AAP’s consistent campaigning and emphasis on civic issues that appears to have resonated with voters. With this result, the party not only retains a key seat but also gains renewed momentum in Punjab politics.
