AAP Triumphs in Ludhiana (West) By-Election: What This Means for Punjab's Future

AAP Secures Victory in Ludhiana (West) By-Poll

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has been emphasizing its commitment to development and public welfare, successfully retained the Ludhiana (West) Assembly seat on Monday. This victory came despite a voter turnout of only 51.33%, a decline from the 64% recorded during the 2022 Assembly elections.

In anticipation of the 2027 Assembly elections, major opposition parties, including Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), campaigned under the banner of 'badlaav' (change).

Sanjeev Arora, a Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, maintained a lead from the outset and ultimately defeated his nearest competitor, Bharat Bhushan Ashu of Congress, by a margin of 10,637 votes.

The BJP's Jiwan Gupta finished in third place.

Arora garnered 35,179 votes, while Ashu received 24,542 votes, and Gupta secured 20,323 votes. The Akali Dal candidate managed only 8,203 votes.

Following the win, Punjab AAP in-charge expressed satisfaction, stating, 'Sanjeev Arora's victory in Ludhiana (West) reflects the public's approval of the Mann-led Punjab government's initiatives.'

This by-election was called after the passing of AAP's Ludhiana (West) legislator Gurpreet Bassi Gogi due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound in January.

State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema expressed gratitude to voters, declaring, 'This victory is a testament to our party, government, and policies... I believe AAP will once again govern Punjab in 2027.'

When asked about his priorities as a new member of the state assembly, Arora emphasized, 'Development, development, development.'

Punjab AAP President Aman Arora attributed the party's success to the policies of Arvind Kejriwal, the achievements of the Mann government, and the dedication of party workers.

BJP MP Ravneet Bittu acknowledged the results, hoping Arora would work diligently for Ludhiana's advancement. He noted that Gupta's achievement of over 20,000 votes in just two weeks of campaigning was commendable.

Bittu also pointed out that while AAP celebrates its win, the combined vote share of the opposition parties surpasses that of the ruling party, indicating rising dissatisfaction among the electorate.

He expressed gratitude to BJP workers for their efforts and encouraged continued dedication.

Chief Minister Mann congratulated everyone on the party's significant victory, stating, 'This win, with a substantial margin, clearly shows that the people of Punjab are pleased with our government's work. We are committed to the state's progress and prosperity, working tirelessly and with integrity.'