Ludhiana West faces heated protests, fierce slogans, and shifting alliances ahead of June 19 bypoll.
Chandigarh: As the June 19 by-election for Ludhiana West inches closer, political and social turbulence has gripped the industrial city, with surging protests, aggressive campaign slogans, and unexpected party realignments reshaping the electoral landscape. What was expected to be a routine contest is turning into a high-decibel showdown, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) facing fire from multiple directions—protesting unions, resurgent rivals, and even disgruntled allies.
In a vivid display of anger and disillusionment, multiple workers’ and teachers’ unions staged massive protests across Ludhiana West this week, defying the scorching June heat to press their long-standing demands. One of the most impactful demonstrations came from the Anganwadi Mulazam Union, whose members—mostly women—gathered outside Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), many cradling their children while chanting slogans against the government.
Led by Harjeet Kaur Panjola, the protesters accused the AAP government of abandoning its promises.
“They promised us double salaries before elections. Forget hikes; even our fixed wages are irregular,” said one protester.
Subhash Rani, another worker, linked their struggle to larger national concerns, “India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index. And we, who serve children and mothers, are being ignored.”
The protesters also flagged the poor implementation of nutrition schemes, alleging that meals for women and children were insufficient and often skipped. Their resilience in the punishing heat painted a grim picture of grassroots discontent—just days before the bypoll.
Elsewhere, a collective of education unions—the Democratic Teachers Front Punjab, 6635 ETT Union, and 4161 Master Cadre Union—marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, calling out the government’s delay in addressing issues like job regularisation, transfer policies, and unfilled teaching positions.
“Many of our colleagues have been working hundreds of kilometres from home, unregularised and underpaid,” said a union leader, accusing the Education Minister of making hollow promises during a May 4 dialogue.
With schools understaffed and posts lying vacant, the unions warned of a larger protest planned for June 11 if action isn’t taken immediately.
“We’re not just employees; we’re educators of Punjab’s future. We won’t be silent,” they said.
In yet another front of agitation, members of the Mid-Day Meal Cook Union Punjab, led by Karam Chand Chindalia, took to the streets near Chattar Singh Park with their rallying cry, “Thali Kharkao, Sutti Punjab Sarkar Jagao.” Cook and assistant workers lamented their pitiful wages and repeated government apathy.
“We feed thousands of children every week, yet our own earnings are so low we can’t feed our families,” said a protester.
Despite submitting memorandums and meeting officials, their pleas have met with silence. Their message was clear: the fight for dignity and justice will continue beyond June 19 if needed.
While protests simmer, political camps are scrambling to gain visibility and connect with voters. The BJP, already late in announcing its candidate, finally inaugurated Jiwan Gupta’s campaign office at Shehanshah Palace, Ferozepur Road. The event was attended by senior leaders including Sunil Jakhar and Vijay Rupani, with Jakhar sharply attacking CM Bhagwant Mann over his alleged derogatory remarks on sindoor.
“By mocking a sacred symbol of womanhood, Bhagwant Mann has crossed the line. Punjabis will not forgive this,” Jakhar thundered, also taking a jab at Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu, hinting at internal distrust in his camp.
Curiously, despite the formal launch, the BJP seems almost invisible in Ludhiana’s visual battle—absent from hoardings and relying instead on social media and wall posters.
Gupta shrugged off criticism, saying, “I come from a normal family. I believe in grassroots campaigning, not lakhs spent on banners.”
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is attempting to reconnect with its disillusioned base. Party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal managed to engineer a symbolic homecoming, welcoming back Sohan Singh Thandal, who had briefly joined the BJP.
“He was just on deputation. Today, he returns to his home,” Sukhbir quipped.
Thandal added emotionally, “Akali Dal always gave me respect. I never spoke against them.”
Even as the BJP and SAD struggle for visibility, AAP and Congress are locked in a full-blown hoarding war, with Ludhiana’s skyline flooded with eye-catching slogans and giant visuals. Both parties are using unipoles to hit hard and woo harder.
AAP’s candidate Sanjeev Arora launched a sharp-edged slogan, “Na gussa, na ahankaar, Sanjeev Arora iss vaar,” a veiled jibe at Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu, known for his aggressive politics.
Ashu responded with, “For development and trust, Ashu is must,” leaning on his experience and earlier MLA stint.
AAP upped the ante with another slogan: “Honge kam, milega satkar—AAP da MLA, AAP di Sarkar,” while Ashu responded with, “Na jhooth, na larey—kam karda bahut sarey,” appealing to voters tired of “fake guarantees.”
SAD’s candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman, though quieter on the hoarding front, pitched his own narrative: “Tarakki te khushhali lake aange Akali,” and “Na baahari, na ahankaari… iss vaar Parupkar di vaari,” suggesting he’s the local, grounded choice in contrast to “outsider” candidates.
“Har ik tak sokhi phaunch,” he promised, pledging post-election accessibility.
With just days left for the Ludhiana West bypoll, the city is a cauldron of protest, persuasion, and party politics. While AAP and Congress battle it out through hoardings and rallies, BJP and SAD are banking on last-minute swings and personal outreach. Simultaneously, surging worker unrest is creating parallel political pressure, making it clear that for any party to win Ludhiana West, it must do more than just slogans—it must address real pain on the ground.