High-Octane Campaigning Ends; Heated Contest Enters Silent Mode Ahead of June 19 Vote

As the clock struck 6 pm on Tuesday, a political crescendo that had gripped Ludhiana West for nearly a month drew to a dramatic close. The curtain fell on the high-stakes campaigning for the June 19 byelection to the Ludhiana West assembly constituency — an election that, though not poised to shift the balance of power in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, is being keenly watched for its symbolic weight in the state’s evolving political landscape.

From roadshows and door-to-door canvassing to vision documents and media briefings, the final hours of the campaign were a vibrant, almost theatrical display of political muscle, with top leaders of all major parties — the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), principal opposition Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — making a last-ditch appeal to voters.

On the campaign’s final day, Ludhiana’s roads swelled with supporters as Congress stalwart Bharat Bhushan Ashu led an energetic roadshow, joined by former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state party affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. Loud slogans echoed through the bustling city as the Congress reminded voters of Ashu’s two-term record, including as the Cabinet Minister, in the constituency and pitched him as the only “local and accessible” candidate.

Meanwhile, AAP pulled off a massive show of strength with a roadshow led by Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP’s Punjab unit president Aman Arora, and state Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, campaigning for the party’s candidate, industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora. The rally symbolized AAP’s aggressive ambition to reclaim the seat it lost with the tragic death of MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi.

Amidst a sea of yellow flags and chants of “Kejriwal zindabad”, AAP leaders emphasized continuity and clean governance. “We don’t need outsiders. We need Ludhiana’s own representative who can amplify the people’s voice,” declared Arora, releasing his Vision Document that promises improved civic infrastructure, MSME-friendly reforms, and greater access to public healthcare and education.

In contrast, BJP leaders held a road show followed by a press conference, where senior party leaders including former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar touted the advantages of having a “double-engine government” if BJP were to win. The saffron party’s candidate Jiwan Gupta, a senior leader and former state general secretary, was presented as the “honest, development-oriented face” of BJP.

Adding to the mosaic of voices, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal personally led door-to-door outreach for party nominee Parupkar Singh Ghuman, a Ludhiana-based lawyer. The former Deputy Chief Minister attempted to reassert SAD’s presence in Punjab’s urban politics, which has seen considerable erosion over recent election cycles.

The Candidates and the Stakes

The Ludhiana West bypoll, though technically a mid-term electoral exercise with no direct bearing on government formation, has evolved into a high-stakes political battleground that is being widely viewed as a semi-final ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Four prominent candidates lead the contest from among the 14 in the fray.

Representing the ruling AAP is Sanjeev Arora, a well-known industrialist and sitting Rajya Sabha MP, who is drawing upon both the State Government’s governance track record and his own philanthropic image to appeal to voters. From the Congress, seasoned politician Bharat Bhushan Ashu — a two-time MLA from Ludhiana West and former Cabinet Minister — is aiming for a comeback after narrowly losing the seat to AAP in the 2022 Assembly elections.

The BJP has fielded Jiwan Gupta, a long-time organizational man known for his strategic acumen, who is banking on the BJP’s increasing traction in urban Punjab and its lead in this segment during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, the SAD has chosen Parupkar Singh Ghuman, a respected legal professional and former president of the Ludhiana Bar Association, as its candidate in a bid to regain the party’s lost urban base.

While AAP seeks to retain the seat as a validation of Bhagwant Mann’s governance, the Congress hopes a victory will further energize its resurgence after a strong Lok Sabha performance. For the BJP, the bypoll offers a critical opportunity to solidify its urban expansion, while the SAD sees it as a litmus test for its political revival under the renewed leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

AAP’s Candidate Unveils Vision Document

AAP candidate and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora unveiled his ‘Vision Document for a Better Ludhiana’, outlining a citizen-centric roadmap ahead of the crucial Ludhiana West bypoll. A first-time Assembly candidate, businessman, and philanthropist, Arora broke down his ‘VISION’ acronym to highlight key priorities based on direct citizen feedback, including fixing pothole-ridden roads within 100 days, tackling waterlogging, ensuring 24x7 clean water supply, enhancing public transport, and improving power infrastructure.

Safety topped concerns for 35 percent of respondents, prompting promises to install CCTV cameras, streetlights, and form citizen-policing teams. Healthcare initiatives focus on expanding mohalla clinics and offering free breast cancer screenings through his Krishna Pran Cancer Trust.

Arora also pledged job-linked skill training, MSME tie-ups for placements, and better facilities in government schools. On the environment front, he vowed to revive Buddha Dariya, plant thousands of trees, improve waste management, and establish Ludhiana’s first stray dog sanctuary.

Calling it a “people’s document”, Arora said: “This isn’t a politician’s wish list — it’s the people’s voice turned into action.” Urging voters to press No.1 on the EVM, he appealed for support to bring development that “won’t rest”.

Industry Joins the Election Arena: A Unique Feature of this Bypoll

In an unprecedented development, industrial titans of Ludhiana — from the Rs 16,000 crore Oswal Group, the Rs 4,300 crore Trident Group, to the Rs 56 crore Cremica Group — stepped into the political arena. Not just as backroom supporters, but as public mobilizers, campaign hosts, and vote motivators. In a striking shift, major industrialists organized jansabhas, conducted door-to-door campaigns, created social media reels, and even arranged transport for workers to ensure voter turnout. Events like the rally held at the Monte Carlo factory (Oswal Group) and meetings hosted by Trident’s Rajinder Gupta and Cremica’s Anoop Verka added a new dimension to the campaign — reflecting how even Ludhiana’s elite is sensing the political wind change. “Earlier, we were passive stakeholders. Now, the time has come for us to actively participate in shaping leadership,” said one senior industrialist, requesting anonymity.

Security, Surveillance and Silent Period: Poll Panel’s Preparations

With the campaign ending, Model Code of Conduct is now in full force. All liquor shops have been sealed until voting ends at 6 pm on June 19, as per election regulations. Security has been beefed up with 60 nakas (checkpoints) established and 1,000 police personnel deployed across the constituency. According to the deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Himanshu Jain, all 194 polling booths will be equipped with live webcasting capabilities with 235 high-definition cameras connected to high-speed internet for real-time monitoring.

“The voting process will be monitored in real-time from the integrated command control center located at the district administrative complex. Total 235 CCTV cameras have been installed in the polling stations…This ensures 100 percent transparency and allows the Election Commission to monitor voting patterns and any irregularities as they happen,” said Jain.

He also declared June 19 as a paid holiday in the constituency to allow voters full opportunity to participate in the democratic process without fear of wage cuts. Employers flouting the rule could face legal action. The bypoll was necessitated by the sudden and tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who died of a gunshot wound at his residence on January 14, 2025. A young and dynamic leader, Gogi’s untimely demise shocked Ludhiana’s political and social circles. He had defeated Ashu in 2022 and was considered a rising star in the party.

194 Polling Parties to Be Dispatched from Khalsa College

In a key logistical move ahead of the Ludhiana West by-election, 194 polling parties comprising 776 personnel will be dispatched from Khalsa College for Women on Wednesday. The deployment includes 194 Presiding Officers, 194 Assistant Presiding Officers, and 388 Polling Officers, who will oversee the smooth and peaceful conduct of polling across all 194 booths on June 19.

District Election Officer Himanshu Jain said that clear instructions have been issued to the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers to ensure timely and efficient dispatch of polling parties to their designated locations. Jain also emphasized the importance of ensuring all essential arrangements — including transport, security, and communication support — are in place for the teams.

To further support the polling staff, special nodal officers have been appointed to look after the welfare of the officials and their families during the election process. The district administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that voting in the Ludhiana West Assembly constituency is conducted in a fair, transparent, and voter-friendly manner.

1.74L to Cast Vote on June 19; Counting on June 23

On June 19, 1.74 lakh (1,75,469) registered voters — including  90,088 male, 85,371 female and 10 third-gender individuals — will decide who carries forward Gogi’s legacy. While Ludhiana’s elite has activated itself in unprecedented fashion, the real question is whether that enthusiasm will translate into higher voter turnout, especially in urban booths where apathy has historically prevailed. Voting will continue until the last voter present inside the polling station casts their ballot, said the state Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 23, and while the result won't change Punjab’s government, it could set the tone for future political realignments and signal where the urban electorate — especially in industrial strongholds like Ludhiana — is leaning. In what is shaping up to be a triangular contest with a touch of prestige, legacy, and experimentation, the Ludhiana West bypoll is far more than just a midterm vote — it’s a microcosm of Punjab’s emerging political climate.

ECI Introduces Mobile Phone Deposit Facility to Enhance Voter Convenience

In a move to enhance voter convenience while preserving polling secrecy, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a mobile phone deposit facility at all polling stations, starting with the June 19 byelection for Ludhiana West Assembly constituency. The initiative, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and announced through ECI’s May 23 directive, allows voters to securely deposit their mobile phones at designated counters outside polling station entrances. Managed by trained volunteers and equipped with jute or cloth mobile holders, the facility ensures ease of voting, especially for women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said: “This facility will improve voter convenience while strictly upholding the secrecy of voting under Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.” Mobile phones will remain prohibited within polling stations, and must be switched off within a 100-metre radius to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. The facility will be operational across all 194 polling stations in Ludhiana West, with strict protocols to ensure the safe return of deposited phones. This pilot initiative reflects the ECI’s commitment to voter-centric reforms and a smoother election-day experience.