The political heat is on in Punjab as the high-profile Ludhiana West assembly constituency heads for a bypoll on June 19, with counting scheduled for June 23. This election, triggered by the tragic and mysterious death of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, is turning out to be far more than a routine mid-term poll — it is shaping into a battle of prestige, legacy, and long-term political strategy for all major parties in Punjab.

At the heart of this contest lies speculation about Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s possible entry into the Rajya Sabha from Punjab, in case AAP retains the seat. The party’s decision to field sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate has fueled this theory. A victory here could pave the way for a reshuffling of the political deck, especially within AAP’s parliamentary presence, and bolster its standing nationally amidst legal and political challenges.

Ludhiana West is no ordinary constituency. A cosmopolitan hub with a dominant trading and industrial community, it has a rich electoral history and has often served as a bellwether for urban voter sentiment in Punjab. Since its formation in 1977, the seat has witnessed nine elections, with the Congress winning six times, Akali-BJP combine twice, and Janata Party once. In 2022, it was Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who had defected from the Congress to join AAP, winning the seat during the AAP wave that swept Punjab.

His untimely death in January 2025, due to a gunshot wound at his residence under mysterious circumstances, left the seat vacant and the political scene in flux. According to police records, Gogi was reportedly having dinner when the fatal gunshot was heard from his room. Despite initial doubts, postmortem confirmed a bullet injury that pierced through his head, causing instant death. His passing not only shocked the political fraternity but also left a power vacuum in one of Ludhiana's most politically dynamic regions.

Announcing the polls, Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C assured that the by-election will be conducted as per the Acts, Rules and Guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI) in a transparent way.

Candidates in the Fray: Familiar Faces and Fresh Bets

All eyes are now on three major candidates, each representing a distinct political legacy and strategy.

AAP’s Sanjeev Arora, a Ludhiana-based industrialist and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, was announced as the candidate even before the official bypoll declaration. Arora has already begun campaigning aggressively, focusing on AAP’s development narrative. Given his business background, he has been targeting Ludhiana’s industrial voters, promising infrastructure upgrades and pro-trade policies.

Congress has fielded Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a political heavyweight and former Cabinet Minister who has represented this seat twice in 2012 and 2017. Ashu is betting on his grassroots connections and long political experience, hoping to regain lost ground after his 2022 defeat to Gogi by a margin of 7,512 votes. With the Congress slowly regaining momentum in Punjab, especially post its resurgence in urban belts, Ashu’s return is seen as a test for the party’s future prospects in the state.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated advocate Parupkar Singh Ghuman, a seasoned lawyer and former president of the District Bar Association. Ghuman came into public spotlight for securing a death penalty in the high-profile Dilroze murder case. By fielding a legal professional with a clean image, SAD is attempting to appeal to Ludhiana’s middle class and position itself as a party of law and order.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is yet to declare its candidate, even as the campaign has picked up pace. According to party insiders, more than 25 aspirants have expressed interest, reflecting the enthusiasm and opportunity sensed in the constituency. The front-runners include Bikram Singh Sidhu, BJP’s 2022 candidate who secured over 28,000 votes; Anil Sarin, a local leader and party general secretary; and Rashi Aggarwal, a recent defector from the Congress. There is also talk of the party fielding an industrialist to appeal to the city’s business community.

“We will announce our candidate shortly. People are disappointed with AAP, and we are confident that the tide is turning,” said Anil Sarin, adding that a final decision may be taken within days following a high-level meeting of the party's state and central leadership.

Historical Dominance and Present Dynamics

The Ludhiana West seat has long been a Congress stronghold, with leaders like Joginder Pal Pandey, Harnam Dass Johar, and Bharat Bhushan Ashu scripting victories here. However, the 2022 AAP wave disrupted the status quo, pushing both Congress and SAD into the shadows.

Now, with a more fragmented electorate and increased voter skepticism, the bypoll could offer clues about Punjab’s future political direction — whether AAP retains its urban grip, Congress makes a serious comeback, SAD regains credibility, or BJP establishes relevance in Punjab’s urban politics.

Moreover, AAP’s choice to field a sitting Rajya Sabha MP has turned the bypoll into a symbolic referendum on the party’s national leadership strategy. If Arora wins, it could lead to him vacating his Upper House seat, potentially making room for Arvind Kejriwal to enter Rajya Sabha from Punjab, especially in light of his ongoing legal battles and political positioning at the national level.

Ground-Level Campaigns Already Underway

With candidates from AAP, Congress, and SAD already in campaign mode — holding meetings, launching door-to-door interactions, and addressing community-specific concerns — the heat is palpable on the ground. Posters, hoardings, and social media blitzes are lighting up Ludhiana’s skyline.

Meanwhile, BJP’s delay in naming a candidate is beginning to attract criticism, but party insiders insist that a “strategic” decision is being made. “We are not in a hurry. We want to field someone who can not only fight but win,” said a senior BJP leader from Delhi.

The Stakes Ahead

Though just a single seat, Ludhiana West bypoll is turning out to be a barometer for Punjab’s urban voter mood, especially in the run-up to the next assembly and Lok Sabha elections. For AAP, retaining the seat will reinforce its governance model and possibly open up new parliamentary avenues. For Congress, a win would revive morale and set the tone for 2027. For SAD, it’s a litmus test of relevance. And for the BJP, even a strong performance could cement its nascent but ambitious Punjab plans.

As June 19 draws closer, Ludhiana West is poised to become the political epicenter of Punjab, where legacies will be tested, futures shaped, and perhaps, a new national equation written.

Ludhiana West Assembly By-Election Schedule