Ludhiana (National Times): Polling began at 7 AM today for the high-profile Ludhiana West bypoll, a key urban constituency in Punjab, with over 1.74 lakh registered voters set to decide the future of 14 candidates in the fray.
The by-election follows the death of sitting AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi, who passed away in January in a suspected suicide. This is the first-ever bypoll for Ludhiana West, a constituency created in 1977 that has seen 10 general assembly elections to date.
Campaign Marred by Personal Attacks Over Public Issues
Despite being a vital industrial and urban region, campaigning was dominated more by personal jibes and character attacks than discussion on the city’s pressing issues such as traffic congestion, poor road infrastructure, pollution, and deteriorating law and order. Slogans focused on traits like “gussa” (anger) and “ahankaar” (arrogance) overshadowed debates on public welfare.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which holds power in the state, has fielded Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Sanjeev Arora. His candidacy stirred controversy, with opposition parties accusing AAP of grooming him to make way for Arvind Kejriwal’s Rajya Sabha entry. Arora, with declared assets worth ₹288 crore, is the wealthiest candidate in the state’s recent electoral history.
Battle Between Political Heavyweights and First-Time Candidates
Congress has re-nominated former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, seeking a comeback after losing to Gogi in 2022. However, his campaign has suffered due to visible factional rifts within the party, with top leaders like Raja Warring and Partap Bajwa keeping a distance.
The BJP, which topped the Ludhiana West segment during the recent Lok Sabha polls, has fielded local leader Jiwan Gupta. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, known for his pro bono legal work.
Both Gupta and Ghumman are first-time contenders, similar to Arora, who despite being an MP, is making his electoral debut.
Opposition Targets AAP Over Alleged Freebies and ‘Outsider’ Tag
The campaign witnessed several complaints filed with the Election Commission, alleging AAP’s involvement in distributing cash and freebies. Opposition parties have also labeled Arora as an “outsider” and “moneyed candidate” who lacks grassroots connection with Ludhiana’s residents.
Amid growing discontent over pending urban development and administrative lapses, the bypoll has become a litmus test for AAP’s popularity in Punjab post its Lok Sabha drubbing, where it lost ground in its strongholds.
With polling underway, all eyes are now on voter turnout and how the urban electorate responds to the contrasting narratives of personality politics versus local governance.
