Ludhiana West By‑Election Results Today
The Ludhiana West assembly seat (Punjab), left vacant after the tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi (January 11, 2025), witnessed a fiercely contested by-poll on June 19, 2025, with counting held today, June 23, 2025. This election was a strategic indicator of political currents ahead of the next state polls in 2027 and held national-level importance for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
AAP’s Sanjeev Arora Clinches Victory
AAP’s candidate — Rajya Sabha MP and businessman Sanjeev Arora — emerged victorious, defeating Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu and BJP’s Jiwan Gupta. Arora secured 14,486 votes, while Ashu trailed with 12,200 votes after six rounds of counting . The final margin reaffirmed AAP’s hold in the constituency.
Turnout stood at 51.33%, with 14 candidates in the fray across 1,354 polling stations.
Candidates & Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes (after 6 rounds) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAP | Sanjeev Arora | 14,486 | Winner |
| Congress | Bharat Bhushan Ashu | 12,200 | Runner-up |
| BJP | Jiwan Gupta | (Estimated lower) | Third place |
| Others | 11 candidates | — | — |
Arora’s win signals AAP’s recovery after recent losses in Lok Sabha and Delhi polls, marking its second win out of five by-polls held today across Punjab and Gujarat.
Timeline & Campaign Highlights
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May 26, 2025 – Official notification and nominations opened; last date June 2, withdrawal by June 5.
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June 19 – Voting took place at 192 booths from 7 AM to 6 PM.
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June 23 – Counting began at 8 AM; results declared midday.
Campaign Overview:
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AAP: Fielded Sanjeev Arora, boosted by industrial credentials and a focus on infrastructure. Arvind Kejriwal campaigned heavily, framing the contest as a referendum on AAP leadership post-Delhi losses.
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Congress: Relied on Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s local influence and raised concerns over AAP’s leadership imposition from Delhi. Punjab leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring backed the campaign.
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BJP: Late entry with Jiwan Gupta, announced just days before nomination deadline. Though supported by RSS-aligned cadre, his campaign lacked momentum.
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SAD & Others: Parupkar Singh Ghuman represented Shiromani Akali Dal, marking SAD’s attempt to reclaim urban relevance .
Campaign strategies included door-to-door outreach, public meetings, and a surge of party activists on the streets.
Crucial Takeaways
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Strategic symbolic seat: Seen as a litmus test for AAP’s resilience post local poll losses .
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Local vs national balance: AAP leveraged civic development narratives; Congress stayed local-centric, while BJP pushed national schemes.
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Voter turnout dynamics: Lower than Lok Sabha’s 63% in 2024, indicating typical by-poll variations; Congress attempted to mobilize first-timers and seniors with targeted booths .
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Impact on future: Solidifies AAP’s urban foothold; sparks speculation on Arora vacating Rajya Sabha seat, possibly making room for Kejriwal or others.
What This Victory Means
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For AAP: A morale booster and proof of staying power – critical as it eyes Punjab and national elections. The disciplined campaign, focusing on infrastructure and civic issues, paid off.
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For Congress: A close defeat, but still underwhelming given Ashu’s local roots. Internal divisions and strategy missteps likely contributed.
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For BJP & SAD: BJP performed predictably underwhelmingly, reinforcing its struggles in Punjab. SAD continues to remain on the fringes in urban seats.
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For Punjab politics: Sets the precedent for urban contest narratives, signaling that AAP’s governance models resonate with city voters.
Conclusion
The Ludhiana West by-poll was more than a seat—it represented urban voter sentiment in Punjab. Sanjeev Arora’s win by a comfortable margin is a political win for AAP and a setback for Congress and BJP, reinforcing the former’s narrative of efficiency-led development. With implications reaching Rajya Sabha balance and the upcoming 2027 state elections, this result may shape political alignments in Punjab for years to come.
