The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) solidified its grip on Punjab’s Ludhiana West assembly seat on Monday, with candidate Sanjeev Arora clinching a decisive victory over Congress’ Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 10,637 votes in a heated bypoll. The win, sparked by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January, keeps AAP’s tally at 94 in the 117-member Punjab Assembly.

Arora, a 61-year-old industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP, secured 35,179 votes (39.02%), while Ashu, a two-time former MLA, garnered 24,542 votes (27.22%). BJP’s Jiwan Gupta trailed with 20,323 votes (22.54%), and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Parupkar Singh Ghuman lagged at 8,203 votes (9.1%), forfeiting his security deposit. Of the 90,160 votes cast, 793 opted for NOTA, reflecting a 51.33% turnout—down sharply from 64% in 2022.

Jubilation erupted at Arora’s residence and AAP’s Ludhiana office, with supporters dancing to dhol beats and distributing sweets. A victory march, led by Punjab AAP president Aman Arora, underscored the party’s triumph. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann hailed the win as proof of public satisfaction with AAP’s governance, pledging to honor campaign promises. “We’re working tirelessly for Punjab’s progress,” Mann posted on X.

Arora, set to resign his Rajya Sabha seat, thanked voters, Mann, and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who had promised him a cabinet post during the campaign. AAP’s Manish Sisodia called the win a “semi-final” for 2027, signaling confidence in retaining power.

Congress’ Ashu, who lost to AAP’s Gogi in 2022 by 7,512 votes, graciously congratulated Arora, pledging support for Ludhiana’s development. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, accepting the verdict, vowed introspection and a stronger fight in 2027, alleging AAP misused state machinery.

BJP’s Sunil Jakhar and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, who campaigned for Gupta, saw the 20,323 votes as a sign of BJP emerging as a viable alternative. Bittu noted the opposition’s combined vote share outstripped AAP’s, hinting at growing discontent.

The bypoll, with 14 candidates, was a litmus test for AAP post its Delhi setback. Arora’s early campaign start in February and Kejriwal’s high-octane rallies helped secure the win, though opposition claims of cash distribution and administrative overreach clouded the race. As Punjab looks to 2027, AAP’s victory signals resilience, but the fragmented opposition hints at a brewing challenge.