Saptrishi Soni: The political landscape of Ludhiana West has been supercharged into a fever pitch as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unleashes a full-throttle campaign for the pivotal June 19 Assembly by-election. With its national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, alongside incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, leading from the front, AAP is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the retention of this crucial urban constituency. The nomination filing of AAP candidate and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjeev Arora, on Friday was not just a procedural formality but a meticulously orchestrated display of political might, underscored by a massive roadshow that showcased the party’s strategic intensity and top-tier leadership commitment.
The by-election in Ludhiana West, necessitated by the unfortunate passing of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January 2025, represents more than just filling a vacant seat. For the ruling AAP, it is a significant litmus test of its enduring popularity in urban Punjab, a region historically leaning towards the Congress. Having decisively wrested this seat from the grand old party in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, its retention is now a matter of immense prestige and a crucial indicator of the party’s momentum as it eyes the broader political landscape of the state. The emphatic presence of both Kejriwal and Mann at the forefront of the campaign highlights the critical importance AAP attaches to securing this victory.
The Roadshow: A Powerful Display of Unity and Mass Appeal
The meticulously planned roadshow, commencing from the bustling Aarti Chowk and culminating at Bhai Bala Chowk, served as a powerful spectacle of party unity and public mobilization. Despite causing temporary traffic disruptions across parts of the city, the sheer turnout energized AAP cadres and resonated with a significant segment of the local populace. This mass demonstration was a carefully calculated move to generate palpable momentum, projecting an image of strength and popular support.
Addressing the enthusiastic gathering, Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s charismatic national convener, delivered a charged message, framing the by-election as a fundamental choice between “humility and arrogance.” Without directly naming him, Kejriwal launched a thinly veiled yet potent attack on former Congress minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a key rival in the fray, characterizing him as an “arrogant” and “irritable” opposition figure. In stark contrast, Kejriwal lauded Sanjeev Arora as a “humble man,” deeply committed to Ludhiana’s development. He employed a clever rhetorical twist, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement about “Sindoor flowing through the veins,” by asserting, “I’m not sure if Sindoor flows through the veins of Modi, but Ludhiana city definitely flows through the veins of Arora.” This witty retort aimed to localize the narrative and emotionally connect Arora with the city’s pulse. Kejriwal also strategically invoked AAP’s historic and sweeping victory in the 2022 Punjab elections, urging the electorate to replicate that emphatic mandate in Ludhiana West, thereby solidifying the party’s hold.
Chief Minister Mann’s Commitment and the Candidate’s Vision
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Kejriwal, reinforcing the cohesive leadership approach. Mann’s address was marked by a poignant tribute to the late MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi, whose legacy the party seeks to honor by ensuring a resounding victory for Arora. Mann urged voters to cast their ballots in Gogi’s memory, thereby infusing an emotional appeal into the campaign. His presence on the ground, actively engaging with local residents and party workers, underscores his direct involvement in strengthening AAP’s presence and ensuring ground-level coordination for the by-election.
Sanjeev Arora, the AAP candidate, a prominent industrialist and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, presented himself as a development-oriented leader with a clear vision for Ludhiana. He capitalized on the opportunity to highlight the AAP government’s tangible achievements, particularly emphasizing the resolution of long-standing issues such as granting proprietary rights to residents of ‘Lal Lakir’ (red line) areas, a problem he claimed had persisted for over five decades. Arora pledged to transform Ludhiana into a “model city” if elected, promising focused attention on local development and comprehensive solutions to civic challenges. His background as an industrialist is expected to resonate with the urban electorate, particularly the business community, in a city known as the industrial hub of Punjab. The strategic move to have his son, Kavya Arora, file papers as a covering candidate further reflects the party’s meticulous planning and foresight in ensuring a smooth electoral process.
AAP’s Meticulous Campaign Strategy
Beyond the high-profile rallies, AAP has rolled out an extensive constituency-wide campaign. Senior party leaders, including MLAs from Ludhiana and across Punjab, have been assigned to each of the 17 wards in the constituency. Seven state ministers are also reportedly overseeing ground operations, ensuring a multi-layered approach to voter engagement. Furthermore, nearly 200 booths have been mapped to chairpersons, vice-chairpersons of various boards, and senior party leaders, who are serving as booth in-charges. The party is leveraging its existing municipal network, including its 10 elected councillors in the 17 wards, to drive voter engagement and capitalize on local influence. The campaign’s core message revolves around the AAP government’s governance track record in Punjab, spotlighting initiatives like free electricity, improved healthcare services, enhanced education infrastructure, and upgraded public roads and civic amenities.
The Ludhiana West by-election is undeniably a multi-cornered contest, with the BJP fielding Jiwan Gupta, the Congress putting forth its heavyweight Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and the SAD nominating Advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman. However, AAP’s strategic deployment of its top leadership, especially Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, signifies a concerted effort to consolidate its base and project an image of robust governance and unwavering commitment to Punjab’s development. As the nomination deadline of June 2 looms and the June 19 polling date approaches, the battle for Ludhiana West is set to intensify, with the outcome serving as a crucial barometer of the political mood in urban Punjab and a potential harbinger for future electoral contests.
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