Delhi BJP slams Kejriwal for fielding 'tainted' Ludhiana candidate Sanjeev Arora
Synopsis
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra has gone on the offensive against Arvind Kejriwal, targeting AAP's decision to field GST-accused Sanjeev Arora from Ludhiana in Punjab's 2027 elections — and predicting AAP will collapse from 91 seats to just 9. Separately, BJP has taken aim at the INDIA bloc's Diwali-eve rally, raising concerns about impact on Delhi's wholesale traders.
Key Takeaways
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra accused Arvind Kejriwal of fielding tainted candidates for the Punjab Assembly elections on 31 October 2026 .
Sanjeev Arora , allegedly accused in GST evasion cases , was given an AAP ticket from the Ludhiana constituency.
Malhotra drew parallels to AAP fielding Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain in Delhi despite facing financial allegations.
BJP predicted AAP would be reduced to 9 seats in 2027, down from a record 91 of 117 seats won in 2022 .
BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor criticised the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan , questioning the claim of 10 lakh attendees and flagging disruption to Diwali traders.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Saturday, 31 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for fielding candidates accused of financial irregularities in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. The BJP's criticism centred on AAP's decision to field Sanjeev Arora — allegedly accused in GST evasion cases — from the Ludhiana constituency.
BJP's Accusations Against Kejriwal's Candidate List
Malhotra alleged that Kejriwal 'does not learn from past mistakes and openly supports corruption,' pointing specifically to AAP's Punjab candidate list released on Saturday. He claimed that Arora's inclusion was emblematic of a broader pattern, drawing parallels to AAP's fielding of Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain — both of whom, he noted, faced financial allegations — in Delhi elections.
'Just as the people of Delhi defeated Kejriwal, Sisodia, and Satyendra Jain who were facing financial allegations, the people of Punjab will similarly defeat Sanjeev Arora and most of the corrupt AAP MLAs,' Malhotra said.
BJP's Punjab Prediction: From 91 Seats to Nine
Malhotra noted that AAP had secured a historic mandate in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, winning 91 out of 117 seats. However, he predicted a dramatic reversal, claiming the party would be reduced to nine seats in the next election cycle. He said Kejriwal's claim — made while releasing the Punjab candidate list — of 'creating a new record in 2027 as we did in 2022' was wishful thinking.
This comes amid broader BJP efforts to consolidate anti-incumbency sentiment against the AAP-led Punjab government ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls.
BJP Spokesperson Targets INDIA Bloc's Delhi Rally
Separately, Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor criticised a rally by the INDIA bloc planned for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan. Sharing a video clip on his social media account, Kapoor questioned the bloc's claim that 10 lakh people would attend the event.
'The BJP has held several rallies at Ramlila Maidan over the past 20-30 years, but we have never accommodated more than one lakh people without filling the adjoining roads. Wondering where Rahul Gandhi will accommodate 10 lakh people at Ramlila Maidan,' Kapoor said.
Traders' Concern Raised Over Diwali Timing
Kapoor also criticised the timing of the rally, arguing that holding a protest on the last Sunday before Diwali would hurt the business community. He specifically flagged wholesale markets including Sadar Bazaar, Bhagirath Place, Khari Baoli, and Nai Sadak, which he said remain open and are commercially vital on that day.
'Rahul Gandhi should tell us whether he will compensate traders for their losses,' Kapoor said. The remarks add a commercial dimension to what is otherwise a political standoff, potentially amplifying pressure on the INDIA bloc ahead of the rally.
With Punjab elections approaching and the INDIA bloc rally imminent, both the BJP and AAP appear to be sharpening their political messaging ahead of what is shaping up to be a contentious campaign season.
Point of View
BJP is attempting to export the Delhi narrative into Punjab before the 2027 campaign formally begins. The Kapoor broadside against the INDIA bloc rally is separately significant — framing a political mobilisation as a commercial threat to traders is a messaging choice designed to fracture the urban middle-class vote that the bloc needs.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Delhi BJP attacking AAP's Punjab candidate list?
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra accused AAP of fielding Sanjeev Arora — allegedly accused in GST evasion cases — from Ludhiana, calling it evidence of Kejriwal's pattern of backing tainted candidates. The BJP drew comparisons to AAP's fielding of Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain in Delhi despite financial allegations against them.
Who is Sanjeev Arora, the AAP candidate from Ludhiana?
Sanjeev Arora is an AAP leader who has been given a ticket to contest from the Ludhiana constituency in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. According to Delhi BJP, he is accused in GST evasion cases, though AAP has not publicly responded to these specific allegations.
What did BJP predict for AAP in the 2027 Punjab elections?
BJP President Harsh Malhotra predicted that AAP — which won a landslide 91 of 117 seats in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections — will be reduced to just 9 seats in 2027. He cited voter disillusionment and the party's association with leaders facing financial allegations as key reasons.
What is the controversy around the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally?
Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor questioned claims that 10 lakh people would attend the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, arguing the venue cannot hold that many. He also criticised the timing — the last Sunday before Diwali — saying it would disrupt wholesale traders in key Delhi markets like Sadar Bazaar and Khari Baoli.
How does this fit into the broader Punjab election build-up?
Punjab Assembly elections are due in 2027, and both the BJP and AAP are already sharpening their political narratives. AAP, which governs Punjab with a strong majority, released its first candidate list on 31 October 2026, while the BJP is seeking to frame the campaign around corruption allegations against AAP leaders.
