The political spotlight is firmly on Ludhiana West as the counting of votes for the Assembly bypoll begins at 8 am on Monday at Khalsa College for Women. The bypoll, held on June 19, is being seen as a critical test for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Congress, with broader implications for Punjab's political future.
The counting process will be conducted in 14 rounds, with two additional tables designated for postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) votes. District Election Officer (DEO) Himanshu Jain and General Observer Rajeev Kumar reviewed the counting arrangements on Sunday, inspecting the 14-table examination hall and media center, and reaffirmed that elaborate security and logistical preparations have been put in place to ensure transparency and smooth execution.
Robust three-tier security, well-marked parking zones, and a clearly demarcated media enclosure have been set up. Authorities have pledged a peaceful, secure, and fair counting process, which will be closely monitored by both Election Commission officials and party representatives.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. In a bid to retain the seat, the AAP fielded Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Sanjeev Arora (61), promising a Cabinet berth if he wins. The Congress, hoping to reclaim a constituency it has won six times, nominated former Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu (51), who had lost the seat to Gogi by 7,512 votes in 2022.
The BJP, seeking to solidify its presence among urban voters after a strong showing in the recent Lok Sabha elections, fielded senior leader Jiwan Gupta. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), under the revived leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal, nominated Parupkar Singh Ghuman, former president of the Ludhiana Bar Association, aiming to mark the beginning of a political revival.
A total of 14 candidates were in the fray, but the primary contest is viewed as being between AAP and Congress. The bypoll witnessed a voter turnout of 51.33 percent, notably lower than the 64 percent polling during the 2022 Assembly elections, indicating possible voter fatigue or reduced interest.
The result will be a litmus test for AAP, especially after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where it managed to secure only three of Punjab’s 13 parliamentary seats. A win would not only reinforce its urban grip but also re-establish momentum ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
For the Congress, a win would signal a comeback in an urban stronghold and validate its aggressive campaign, while the BJP’s performance will be keenly watched, especially since its Lok Sabha candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu led from this very segment before losing the Ludhiana seat to Congress’ Raja Warring.
The bypoll also holds significance for the SAD, as it tries to shake off years of electoral decline. Sukhbir Badal, re-elected party president in April after facing religious disciplinary action, has personally led the campaign, hoping for a turnaround.
With 94 seats in the 117-member Assembly, AAP holds a commanding majority. The Congress has 16 MLAs, BJP two legislators, SAD three, BSP one, and one Independent MLA. While this bypoll won’t alter the numbers drastically, its symbolic significance is immense.
