The Ludhiana West Assembly by-election in Punjab has become a high-stakes political contest following the death of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January 2025. The bypoll is expected to be a head-to-head battle between the ruling AAP and the Indian National Congress (INC), with other parties like the BJP also looking to make an impact. Although the Election Commission has not yet announced the official polling date, political activity in the constituency is in full swing.
The Aam Aadmi Party has fielded industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate. AAP is treating this by-election as a matter of prestige and is going all out to retain the seat. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are actively campaigning in the constituency, highlighting development work and promising continued growth under AAP’s governance.
The Congress, on the other hand, has chosen Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a former minister and two-time MLA from Ludhiana West. His candidacy has received support from the national leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge. However, the campaign has been marked by some internal rifts, with senior Congress leaders in Punjab not showing unanimous public support for Ashu. Despite these challenges, Ashu has been actively campaigning and temporarily paused his campaign recently to show solidarity with the nation during a national emergency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not yet officially announced a candidate for the bypoll, but reports suggest the party is likely to field a Hindu candidate to align with the constituency’s demographics. The BJP’s strategy appears to be in the planning phase, with party leadership yet to make a definitive move.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government recently announced a one-time settlement scheme that waives penalties and interest on unpaid or partially paid property and house taxes. This move is being interpreted by many as an election-time incentive aimed at gaining favor with voters in the lead-up to the by-election.
Overall, the Ludhiana West bypoll is shaping up to be a crucial political event, serving as a litmus test for AAP’s governance in Punjab and a chance for the Congress to regain lost ground. The results could have far-reaching implications for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.