AAP leaders come together in show of strength
Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders put their weight behind party candidate Sanjeev Arora as he filed nomination papers on Friday. The leaders who arrived in the city for the AAP roadshow on Friday included party national convener
Arvind Kejriwal
, chief minister
Bhagwant Singh Mann
, former Delhi chief minister and leader of opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Atishi Marlena.
The roadshow started from Aarti Chowk, covered Ghumar Mandi area and concluded at Bhai Bala Chowk. AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora shared an open vehicle with Kejriwal, CM Mann, Atishi Marlena and party's Punjab president Aman Arora.
Addressing the gathering, Arvind Kejriwal acknowledged the efforts of the supporters who braved the scorching heat to back Sanjeev Arora. He also thanked residents for their historic mandate in 2022, when AAP won 92 out of 117 seats in Punjab.
Talking about Ludhiana West, Kejriwal said, "In 2022, you voted against arrogance and anger by electing Gurpreet Gogi Ji as your MLA. While his untimely demise was a great loss, Sanjeev Arora is now here to continue his legacy. Sanjeev Arora needs no introduction; he is a true son of Ludhiana."
Lauding Arora's dedication towards Ludhiana, he said, "He is always thinking about Ludhiana's progress and advocating the city's development.
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There could be no better candidate and representative for Ludhiana West."
Emphasising the importance of electing an AAP candidate, Kejriwal said, "The government is ours and the work will be done by us. The opposition is only hurling abuses, which is what they will continue to do for the next two years. If you want progress, choose Sanjeev Arora. If you want anger and arrogance, you know where to go."
CM Bhagwant Mann reflected on the legacy of late MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi and projected Arora as a worthy successor.
Highlighting the "passion and energy" displayed by the supporters, Mann said, "With the kind of enthusiasm you all have shown, it doesn't matter where our election symbol is placed on the ballot. You will ensure that we are number one." He assured that the party would transform Ludhiana West into a model constituency.
AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora highlighted the work done by him and his party, claiming that issues hanging fire for over 50 years had been resolved.
He cited the example of grant of property rights to residents of "Lal lakir," an issue which was being flagged for decades. He vowed to transform Ludhiana into a "model city" if elected and said that people from across the country would look up to Ludhiana as an example to emulate.
Box 1: Vouching for Sanjeev Arora
—In the course of an informal interaction with mediapersons, AAP state president Aman Arora predicted a resounding victory for MP Sanjeev Arora in the bypoll.
—Aman Arora commended the party candidate as being widely recognised for his "consistent efforts" in driving holistic development in Ludhiana and surrounding areas.
—Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who was present at the mini-secretariat during the filing of nomination papers, said that the party would clinch a record victory.
—Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh also maintained that the AAP candidate would win the election with a wide margin.
Box 2: MP's son files papers too
As Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, filed his nomination papers in the presence of senior party leaders, his son Kavya Arora filed nomination papers as covering candidate. Kavya was accompanied by his mother, Sandhya Arora. Dr Sukhchain Kaur Gogi, wife of late MLA Gurpreet Gogi, and her son, Savraj Gogi, were also present on the occasion.
Box 5: Seeking divine intervention
AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora began his day by visiting religious places in the city. Accompanied by his family members, including his son Kavya Arora, he paid obeisance at Shree Durga Mata Mandir near Jagraon Bridge and Dukh Niwaran Sahib gurdwara.
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