NEW DELHI: The by-election for Punjab’s Ludhiana West seat has created a stir and has started drawing attention even before its official announcement. This election holds significance for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, and it is also a matter of prestige for Congress.
The seat gained prominence when AAP swiftly declared Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Sanjeev Arora as its candidate right after losing the Delhi elections. The move surprised many, as AAP announced Arora’s candidacy even before the election schedule was released. This early decision highlights the party’s urgency and the high stakes involved in the upcoming by-election.
The swift announcement of Sanjeev Arora as AAP’s candidate for the Ludhiana West by-election sends a clear message that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is paving the way for Arvind Kejriwal’s new political strategy.
For Kejriwal to secure a Rajya Sabha seat, Arora must first win the by-election. Once elected, he can resign from his Rajya Sabha position, creating a vacancy that Kejriwal could potentially fill.
There is speculation that Arora may be given a ministerial position if he wins the Ludhiana West by-election. The Election Commission is likely to announce the Ludhiana by-election date along with Bihar elections in October. This gives AAP ample time to build momentum in Ludhiana.
While Akali Dal and BJP will also contest the Ludhiana West by-election, the main battle is expected to be between Congress and AAP.
AAP understands that losing this by-election could trigger internal dissent within the party. That is why former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has taken personal charge of the campaign.