Despite Anti-Incumbency and Nationwide Setbacks, Aam Aadmi Party Secures Major Boost in Punjab as Sanjeev Arora Wins Ludhiana West By-Poll; Victory Seen as Public Mandate for Proactive Leadership
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has pulled off a surprising yet significant victory in the Ludhiana West by-election, with party candidate Sanjeev Arora winning by a margin of 10,676 votes, reaffirming AAP's grassroots grip in Punjab despite recent national-level political setbacks.
This by-election, part of a five-seat contest held across Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat, was necessitated following the tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. Gogi, aged 57, had died after being accidentally shot with a licensed pistol, creating a vacuum in the Ludhiana West seat.
While anti-incumbency sentiment was said to be brewing across Punjab and AAP had suffered a humiliating defeat in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, the Ludhiana result has stunned critics and energised party workers.
"This is not just a win—this is a message from the people of Ludhiana that real work, local engagement, and consistency matter more than political noise," said an AAP spokesperson following the result.
Why Sanjeev Arora’s Win Matters:
Sanjeev Arora, a businessman-turned-Rajya Sabha MP, was a strategic pick by AAP. Since his induction into Parliament in 2022, he has continuously raised Ludhiana-centric issues, ranging from National Highway bottlenecks to the urgent need for more seats in private medical colleges.
"Arora wasn’t just present in name—he was active on ground. He directed funds towards schools, colleges, and civic infrastructure. He was always accessible," a local voter told News Flash.
As a Rajya Sabha MP, Arora leveraged his MPLAD fund for developmental works that struck a chord with common citizens, earning him credibility beyond the campaign trail.
In contrast to growing discontent against the Bhagwant Mann-led state government, particularly over law and order and economic issues, Arora's hyper-local presence and problem-solving image worked decisively in AAP’s favour.
Backdrop of the Election:
The Ludhiana contest came against a challenging political backdrop for AAP:
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Crushing loss in Delhi elections
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Public protests against Mann government’s policies
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Widespread talk of anti-incumbency in Punjab
Yet, Sanjeev Arora’s victory has been viewed as a “course corrector” for the party's image. Political observers say this could reinvigorate the AAP base across the state ahead of the Lok Sabha battle.
“We were confident. Arora’s track record speaks for itself,” said an elated AAP functionary from Punjab.
While the party celebrated, the opposition parties were left introspecting, especially after hoping for a shift in sentiment following unrest over unemployment and governance lapses.
Key Takeaways:
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Sanjeev Arora wins Ludhiana West by 10,676 votes
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Victory despite anti-incumbency wave
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Grassroots work and public engagement are credited
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AAP aims for course correction in the Punjab image
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Boost ahead of crucial 2026 Punjab urban polls
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