Ludhiana West bypoll elections: A question of mustache for Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
June 19, the fate of ruling Aam Aadmi Party candidate Sanjeev Arora, Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu, BJP’s Jeevan Gupta and Akali Dal’s Paropkar Singh Ghuman will be decided by 174437 voters of Ludhiana West.
These elections are being held on the seat vacated after the death of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi.
These bypoll elections have become a topic of discussion due to the allegations of the opposition of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal going to Rajya Sabha via Punjab, the ruling party putting up boards with photos of Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann and Aman Arora without the candidate’s photo, the ruling party’s actions of bullying (AAP candidate distributing ration, kitchen utensils to voters) besides the role of the Punjab Election Commission .
Why It Mattered for Kejriwal’s Aspirations:
The bypoll was a critical opportunity for Kejriwal to reinforce AAP’s dominance in Punjab after the Delhi setback. A victory for Sanjeev Arora could create a Rajya Sabha vacancy, potentially enabling Kejriwal’s parliamentary entry, though AAP dismissed this as opposition propaganda.
The outcome would influence AAP’s urban strategy and Kejriwal’s national profile, especially as Punjab’s only ruling party. A loss could signal voter fatigue and weaken AAP’s prospects for 2027.
The Ludhiana West bypoll election, held on June 19, 2025, was a crucial political event in Punjab, triggered by the death of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January 2025.
Below is a concise overview of the context surrounding the bypoll: Key Contextual Factors:
Reason for Bypoll: The vacancy arose after AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who represented Ludhiana West, passed away, necessitating a by-election to fill the Punjab Legislative Assembly seat.
Political Significance: For AAP and Kejriwal: After AAP’s major defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders lost their seats, Punjab remained AAP’s sole stronghold.
The bypoll was a test of AAP’s urban voter base and Kejriwal’s leadership, especially amid speculation that a win could facilitate his entry into the Rajya Sabha via a potential vacancy created by AAP’s candidate, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora.
For Punjab Politics: Ludhiana West, an urban constituency, was seen as a bellwether for AAP’s governance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. A victory would signal continued support, while a loss could highlight anti-incumbency.
Candidates and Parties:
● AAP: Fielded Sanjeev Arora, a Ludhiana-based industrialist and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, raising speculation about Kejriwal’s parliamentary ambitions.
● Kejriwal promised Arora a ministerial role if elected.Congress: Nominated Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a former MLA, emphasizing his past development work in the constituency.
● BJP: Fielded Jiwan Gupta, leveraging its urban voter base from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
● Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): Contested with Parupkar Singh Ghumman, focusing on local issues like pollution.
The multi-party contest intensified the campaign, with each party targeting Ludhiana’s urban electorate.
Campaign Dynamics:
AAP’s Strategy: Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and leaders like Manish Sisodia led high-energy campaigns, including roadshows. Kejriwal framed the bypoll as a referendum on AAP’s governance, warning that a loss could halt development projects.
Opposition Attacks: Congress accused Kejriwal of threatening voters, while SAD and BJP criticized AAP’s governance.
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claimed Kejriwal avoided contesting directly to dodge “outsider” backlash.
Controversies: AI-generated diss tracks targeting Kejriwal and AAP’s Delhi leadership surfaced, reflecting internal dissent. An FIR was filed against news channels for publishing opinion polls during the restricted 48-hour pre-poll period.
Electoral Logistics:Voter Base: The constituency had 1,74,437 registered voters (89,602 male, 84,825 female, 10 third-gender) across 194 urban polling stations.Polling Date: Voting occurred on June 19, 2025, from 7 AM to 6 PM, with results scheduled for June 23, 2025.
Security Measures: Over 1,000 police personnel, 60 checkpoints, and 235 CCTV cameras ensured a secure and transparent process. A dry day, no-flying zone, and restrictions on non-registered voters were enforced.
Broader Political Context: AAP’s Challenges: AAP’s weak performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it trailed in all nine Ludhiana assembly segments, raised concerns about its urban appeal.
Internal dissent, with Punjab AAP workers protesting Delhi’s influence, added pressure.
Opposition Strength: BJP and Congress had strong showings in Ludhiana during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with BJP leading urban segments and Congress dominating rural ones, making the bypoll competitive.
Kejriwal’s Aspirations: The bypoll was linked to speculation about Kejriwal’s Rajya Sabha ambitions, though AAP denied these claims. A win would bolster AAP’s national relevance post-Delhi and strengthen Kejriwal’s influence in Punjab.