AAP Emerges Victorious in Ludhiana West Bypoll, Sanjeev Arora Defeats Congress' Ashu by 10,637 Votes

National News: In Punjab politics, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has once again cemented its position as a strong alternative. In the by-election for the Ludhiana West Assembly seat, AAP candidate and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora secured a resounding victory by defeating Congress leader and state executive president Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a significant margin of 10,637 votes.

The seat fell vacant following the tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi, who was shot. The polling took place on June 19, and the vote counting began at 8 AM on June 23.

AAP Maintained Lead From the Start of Counting

The counting process began with the postal ballots and home voting, followed by the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) count. From the very beginning, Sanjeev Arora maintained a steady lead, while Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu continued to fall behind as the counting progressed through each round.

Vote Tally- Who Got How Many Votes?

Party                                              Candidate                                  Votes Received
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)              Sanjeev Arora                                  35,179
Indian National Congress            Bharat Bhushan Ashu                      24,542
Bharatiya Janata Party                Jeevan Gupta                                   20,323
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)           Paraupakar Singh Ghumman            8,203
NOTA                                                                                                         793

• Total votes cast: 90,160
• AAP’s winning margin: 10,637 votes
• Voter turnout: 51.33%

From Rajya Sabha to Vidhan Sabha: Arora’s New Political Chapter

AAP took a strategic decision by fielding sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora in this high-stakes bypoll. His victory is not just a personal triumph but also a strong message that AAP’s appeal has expanded beyond Delhi and continues to gain traction in Punjab. With this win, Arora transitions from the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) to active legislative politics in the Punjab Assembly, marking a new phase in his political journey.

Major Setback for Congress-BJP & Other Traditional Parties

The loss has come as a significant political blow to the Congress, especially after fielding a seasoned and influential leader like Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Meanwhile, BJP’s Jeevan Gupta and SAD’s Paraupakar Singh Ghumman also failed to make any notable impact on voters. The result underscores a clear trend—urban voters in regions like Ludhiana are now seeking credible alternatives to the traditional parties.

Public Sentiment: Voting Based on Real Issues

The by-election result makes it evident that voters are prioritizing development, governance, and trustworthy leadership. AAP's victory reflects more than just a seat gain—it signals rising public trust in the party’s approach and leadership. The hard work of local party workers, combined with a clean and service-driven image, played a crucial role in securing this win.

A Shift in Punjab’s Political Landscape

The AAP’s victory in the Ludhiana West by-election is not just altering the state’s political equations but is also shaping Punjab’s future political direction. Whether this win will empower AAP further in the upcoming elections or push traditional parties to rethink their strategies remains to be seen.