Did AAP Achieve a Historic Win in Gujarat and Punjab Bypolls?

New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) The AAP rejoiced on Monday, claiming a “historic win” in the bypolls as the party secured victories in Gujarat’s Visavadar seat and Punjab’s Ludhiana (West) Assembly seat. Party leaders celebrated the results as a powerful endorsement of the AAP’s governance and a clear indication of rising national momentum.

In an interview with IANS, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai expressed, “This is a significant victory. Farmers and the public have sent a strong message, particularly in Gujarat, where the BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ attempted to buy off leaders and disrupt parties. The people have called for change. This victory is historic, and I extend my congratulations to everyone involved. Likewise, in Punjab, this win illustrates that the public firmly supports our government.”

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj recognized AAP’s Ludhiana (West) candidate, stating, “Sanjeev Arora is a dedicated local leader who has been actively engaged in the community. He was rightfully given this chance, and the people responded positively.”

Laljit Singh Bhullar, another prominent AAP figure, pointed out the broader electoral trend: “Out of five bye-elections nationwide, AAP contested three and won two. This clearly indicates that the future belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. The public is determined that he will be the Prime Minister in 2029. The Ludhiana West victory is just the semi-final — AAP will triumph in the finals in 2027. Despite a 13% decrease in voter turnout, our vote share has risen. The common man is standing firmly with us.”

AAP’s Balbir Singh also commented, “From Punjab to Gujarat, our candidates have emerged victorious. People are voting based on our performance. While we thank our hardworking party workers, we assure the people that we will now work at four times the speed of a rocket.”

In the bye-election for Gujarat’s Visavadar Assembly, AAP leader Gopal Italia triumphed over the BJP’s Kirit Patel by a margin exceeding 17,000 votes. The seat became vacant after the resignation of sitting MLA Bhupat Bhayani, leading to a triangular contest among the BJP, Congress, and AAP. Italia, a well-known AAP figure in Gujarat and former state president, maintained a strong lead from the early counting rounds.

In Ludhiana (West), AAP retained the seat despite a lower voter turnout of 51.33%, compared to 64% in the 2022 Assembly elections. AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, who led from the beginning, defeated his closest opponent and two-time legislator Bharat Bhushan Ashu of Congress by a margin of 10,637 votes.

BJP’s newcomer Jiwan Gupta finished in third place. Arora, who began his campaign in March, garnered 35,179 votes, while Congress leader Ashu received 24,542 votes and the BJP’s Gupta 20,323 votes.

Meanwhile, rival parties, including Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), campaigned vigorously with slogans calling for “badlaav (change)” in anticipation of the 2027 Assembly elections.