In what is being seen as a high-stakes political event, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is set to address a rally in Ludhiana on March 18. This will be Kejriwal’s first major political event after his party’s resounding defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, where the three-time chief minister himself suffered a shocking loss.
Though the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the schedule for the Ludhiana West bypoll, Kejriwal’s rally is expected to set the stage for AAP’s campaign, as the party seeks to retain the seat amid an increasingly competitive political landscape in Punjab. The ruling party has already announced its Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Sanjeev Arora as party candidate for the Ludhiana West Assembly by-election — also triggering widespread speculation that Kejriwal might be eyeing Arora’s soon-to-be-vacant Rajya Sabha seat.
AAP’s decision to hold a mega-rally in Ludhiana signaled the party’s determination to reassert its influence in Punjab--now the only state it is in power. The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant on January 11, following the sudden demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who succumbed to a gunshot wound while cleaning his licensed revolver at his home.
Kejriwal’s visit also underscored his party’s continued focus on healthcare and governance, as he is expected to visit Ludhiana Civil Hospital before the rally to inaugurate modern facilities. This move aligned with AAP’s strategy of promoting its governance model — particularly in education and healthcare — as a key electoral plank. Sources within AAP informed that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also accompany Kejriwal during the hospital visit and rally.
Currently, Kejriwal is undergoing a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat at the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Centre in Hoshiarpur. The retreat, which began on March 5 and will conclude on March 15, is aimed at providing Kejriwal with a period of rejuvenation before he returns to active political campaigning. Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, is also accompanying him on this meditative journey.
The upcoming Ludhiana rally carries immense significance for Kejriwal personally. The party, which had swept the 2020 Delhi elections with 62 out of 70 seats, was reduced to a mere handful of seats in 2025, with the BJP securing a landslide victory. Kejriwal, who had once been seen as an invincible force in Delhi politics, is now in damage control mode.
Despite holding power in Punjab, AAP is also facing significant challenges in retaining Ludhiana West. The Congress, which has been gaining ground in Punjab following its strong performance in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll, is expected to put up a tough fight. Moreover, the BJP, despite its struggles in Punjab politics, is looking to make inroads, especially among the trading and business community in Ludhiana. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which has been grappling with internal dissent, will also attempt to regain lost ground.
Adding to AAP’s woes is the discontent among party workers, who are reportedly unhappy with some of the recent candidate selections and internal party decisions. The Ludhiana rally will thus serve as an opportunity for Kejriwal to re-energize AAP’s cadre and project a united front ahead of the electoral battle.
