With the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll approaching on June 19, political stakes have escalated dramatically in Punjab, a state often termed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s final stronghold. BJP senior leader and former Punjab president Sunil Jakhar has now described this contest as AAP’s “last stand”, suggesting that a defeat here could be the beginning of the party’s end in the run-up to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

AAP’s Desperation and ‘Last Stronghold’

In an interview with The Indian Express, Sunil Jakhar highlighted the intense campaigning by the AAP leadership, including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and even former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia, who is currently out on bail in a corruption case. Their prolonged presence in Ludhiana, according to Jakhar, signals desperation.

“Punjab is the AAP’s last stand. If they lose from Ludhiana, this will be the beginning of their end in 2027... They will put in every effort, hook or crook, to win Ludhiana,” he stated.

Jakhar painted the picture of a politically cornered AAP, suggesting that after its Delhi Assembly setback and Lok Sabha performance, Punjab is the only remaining state where AAP still has a governing presence. A loss here, he warns, would signal to voters across the state that AAP’s hold is rapidly weakening.

Seat Profile and Political Background

The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant after the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. Gogi had previously won with strong support, making the seat a key urban constituency for AAP. In an effort to retain it, AAP has fielded Sanjeev Arora, a 61-year-old local industrialist and current Rajya Sabha member nominated by AAP.

Kejriwal and Mann have already camped in Ludhiana weeks before the polls, conducting rallies, meetings with local communities, and promoting Arora as a candidate who understands both business and governance.

BJP’s Allegations on Rajya Sabha Nominees

Sunil Jakhar launched a direct attack on AAP’s Rajya Sabha selection process, claiming that 80% of the nominees paid heavy amounts to secure their seats.

“People who had nothing to contribute to Punjab have been sent to the Rajya Sabha by the AAP,” Jakhar claimed, questioning AAP’s commitment to clean politics.

He also dismissed speculations that Sanjeev Arora's Assembly candidacy is meant to vacate his Rajya Sabha seat for Kejriwal, saying that Kejriwal could easily get another RS member to resign if he wanted a seat.

This claim casts doubts over AAP’s internal integrity, presenting it as a party driven by personal and financial motives rather than ideology or local representation.

BJP’s Urban Strategy and Candidate Challenges

Jakhar, who is leading the BJP’s campaign, acknowledged that the late announcement of Jiwan Gupta as the party’s candidate may have put them at a slight disadvantage. However, he argued that the overwhelming support in BJP’s recent roadshow and the public mood in Ludhiana’s urban areas shows a strong shift in sentiment.

“The only disadvantage I think we had is that Jiwan Gupta’s name was announced a bit late. But the kind of support we saw at the roadshow has reassured us,” he said.

Ludhiana, being a commercial and industrial hub, is home to thousands of businessmen and entrepreneurs, a group Jakhar says is deeply affected by AAP’s law and order failure.

Law and Order, Gangsters, and Extortion

According to Jakhar, the business community in Ludhiana has been subjected to ransom and extortion threats from gangsters and criminal syndicates under AAP’s governance.

“People are being shot in broad daylight. Businessmen are receiving extortion calls. Lawlessness is rampant under the AAP government,” he alleged.

He strongly emphasised that the safety of the people, especially those generating economic value, is in jeopardy and that the AAP has failed to restore order. He pointed to the loss of Barnala bypoll in November 2023 — a seat that was once an AAP bastion — as proof that people are losing patience with the party.

BJP’s Promises and UP Model Comparison

Critics have often asked how the BJP could fix issues in Punjab when it does not control the state government. Jakhar, however, dismissed this argument.

“If BJP can fix law and order in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab will be child’s play,” he claimed confidently, asserting that strong governance, police reform, and zero tolerance for crime can be achieved through influence, not just power.

He argued that while bypolls are typically easier for ruling parties, the AAP’s public image in Punjab is so damaged by scandals, infighting, and ineffective governance, that even mid-term elections are now looking difficult.

A Contest Between BJP and AAP

Jakhar made it clear that the real contest in Ludhiana West is between BJP and AAP, with Congress and SAD largely sidelined. He insisted that voters are looking for change, and the BJP is emerging as the most viable alternative.

While the Congress has maintained a presence in the state and has its own vote banks, particularly among rural and Dalit communities, it appears that in urban Ludhiana, the battle lines have been redrawn— and BJP is now a significant challenger.

Jakhar’s Political Position

Despite resigning as Punjab BJP chief eight months ago, Jakhar remains deeply involved in the campaign. The party has not accepted his resignation, and he currently functions as the de facto interim president.

“Let me clarify, I only resigned from a post, not from the BJP. I am very much a part of the BJP and will continue to be so,” he stated.

This clarification reaffirms his political commitment to the party, and his active leadership in the Ludhiana bypoll could serve as a test for his future role in Punjab BJP’s internal restructuring.

Implications for 2027 and Beyond

The Ludhiana West bypoll is no longer just a vacant seat election—it has become a referendum on the AAP government in Punjab. For Kejriwal, it’s a battle to defend credibility and relevance. For BJP, it’s an opportunity to break new ground in a state where it has traditionally struggled.

A defeat for AAP here would weaken its morale and trigger questions about its leadership, particularly in Punjab where it is struggling to contain internal dissent and governance issues.

A win for BJP would not only energise its cadre, but also strengthen its narrative that it is the only party capable of restoring order and prosperity in Punjab.

In essence, the June 19 bypoll is a precursor to the larger war in 2027, and both parties know it. That’s why the rhetoric is sharp, the stakes are high, and every speech, poster, and rally is being delivered with the intensity of a general election.

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