Latest news with #SanjeevArora
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Arora likely to be inducted into Mann-led cabinet
Aam Aadmi Party 's new poster boy, Sanjeev Arora , who won the Ludhiana West by-election , is likely to make his entry in the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Cabinet as the party sets its house in order in the state. Mann will shuffle his Cabinet this week as two berths have been vacant. The chief minister is expected to make inductions, relieve some ministers of their current charge and assign new portfolios. According to sources, 62-year-old Arora is likely to be inducted and given a heavy portfolio. A businessperson and Rajya Sabha member, Arora is internally recognised for introduction of the Punjab government's land pooling scheme and the newly-formulated 'Fast-Track Punjab', a long-standing demand of industry owners. A Ludhiana-based industrialist, who did not wish to be named, told ET that the by-election victory should not be seen as a win for AAP, but a confidence vote for Sanjeev Arora. "He is a trusted name in Punjab as he understands what industry owners need for ease of doing business and has their support," the person said. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had announced during the Ludhiana West bypoll campaign that Arora, when elected, would be inducted in the Cabinet. Arora is the chairperson and managing director of Ritesh Properties and Industries Ltd. , a group of 18 firms with offices across India. Though he started out as a garment manufacturer in Ludhiana, he is now involved in real estate, housing, and industrial and commercial sectors. Sources said Kejriwal could entrust him with the industries portfolio. The last Cabinet reshuffle in Punjab had taken place in September 2024, when five inductions were made. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Sources said the party is not satisfied with some of the new ministers. Local government and parliamentary affairs minister Ravjot Singh could be eased out, they hinted. With 18 months to go for Punjab elections, AAP is trying to set its house in order. After the massive electoral loss in Delhi in February this year, Punjab elections will be a do-or-die battle for AAP. Live Events
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Ludhiana West MLA Sanjeev Arora administered oath
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Saturday administered the oath of office to newly elected MLA Sanjeev Arora at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretariat in presence of cabinet ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema and MLA Budh Ram besides Delhi's former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. Sandhwan presented the literature of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and an iPad to Arora. (From right) Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan with MLA Sanjeev Arora, Delhi ex-CM Manish Sisodia and others at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretariat. (HT Photo) Arora took the pledge that he would bear true 'faith and allegiance' to the Constitution besides upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the country and faithfully discharging the duties entrusted to him. Arora said he would take guidance from senior leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party and leave no stone unturned for the welfare of his constituency. 'Our government has started a live telecast of all the proceedings of the House so that transparency can be maintained. But the previous governments kept the proceedings secret so that people could not become aware about their work,' the speaker highlighted. He extended his best wishes to MLA Sanjeev Arora. Aman Arora termed Sanjeev Arora an honest person. 'People supported the party as they have faith in national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann,' he said. Any person found involved in corruption or drug business will not be spared, he said. Before the ceremony, the speaker and his family members planted saplings in the background of the Vidhan Sabha. With Sanjeev Arora winning the Ludhiana West by-election in Punjab, the party's Rajya Sabha seat has now become vacant, and the party is yet to decide on a candidate for the same. Sanjeev Arora had secured an easy victory in the Ludhiana West bypoll the results of which were declared on June 23. He had got 35,179 votes, drubbing Congress candidate Ashu who bagged 24,542 votes. Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Jiwan Gupta and Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) Parupkar Singh Ghuman had got 20,323 votes and 8,203, respectively.
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
After Delhi Heartbreak, Bypoll Wins Lift AAP's Spirits; Kejriwal Predicts Sweep In Punjab & Gujarat
AAP regained momentum with bypoll wins in Punjab and Gujarat after losing Delhi. Leaders celebrated at Kapurthala House, calling it a turning point. After its recent electoral setback in Delhi, where it lost control of the Capital after nearly a decade in power, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has found renewed momentum with bypoll victories in Punjab and Gujarat. Once seen as a Delhi-centric outfit, the party has steadily expanded its footprint over the years, forming a government in Punjab and opening its account in states like Gujarat– long considered BJP strongholds. The latest wins — in Ludhiana West (Punjab) and Visavadar (Gujarat) — have come as a morale booster for the AAP cadre, who see them as signs of public endorsement amid political headwinds. On Wednesday, senior leaders gathered at Kapurthala House in Delhi, the official residence of the Punjab Chief Minister, to celebrate the victories. Those in attendance included AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai, and Atishi. In Delhi, the BJP ended AAP's 10-year reign, winning 48 out of 70 seats in the capital in the assembly election held in February this year. The AAP retained the Ludhiana West seat with its candidate Sanjeev Arora registering a victory against his nearest rival and Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a margin of 10,637 votes. Arora secured 35,179 votes while Ashu got 24,542 votes. BJP's Jiwan Gupta polled 20,323 votes while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) nominee Parupkar Singh Ghuman received 8,203 votes. Ghuman lost his security deposit. The bypoll — held on June 19 — was necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. The result was announced on Monday. AAP candidate Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat in Gujarat, defeating his closest BJP rival by about 17,000 votes. AAP's Bhupendra Bhayani won the Visavadar seat, but he later defected to the BJP. Bypoll Victories Were Semifinals For 2027 Assembly Polls In Punjab, Gujarat: Kejriwal Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the Aam Aadmi Party's victories in the Punjab and Gujarat bypolls as a 'semifinal" for the 2027 assembly elections, asserting that the party is on track to form the next governments in both states. 'The bypolls in Gujarat and Punjab were a semifinal, and in 2027 assembly polls, we will cross 100 seats in Punjab and form the government," he said. Kejriwal congratulated Gopal Italia, who won in Gujarat and Sanjeev Arora, who emerged victorious from Ludhiana West, and thanked the people for ensuring the party's win. 'We have been in power in Punjab for the last three years. Leave anti-incumbency, there is pro-incumbency there. We had won 92 seats in the 2022 assembly polls, and it looks like we will cross 100 seats in 2027," he added. The AAP chief said the Congress top leadership is hand in glove with the BJP. 'AAP is fighting against the system. We have come to give clean politics to people. People are fed up of BJP in Gujarat. They did not have an option earlier. Congress is not an option. They see an option in AAP and have hope from the party," he said. 'We will form the government in Gujarat in 2027," Kejriwal said. (With PTI inputs) First Published:
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Kejriwal rules out Rajya Sabha entry
New Delhi: Following the Aam Aadmi Party's emphatic win in the Ludhiana West Assembly by-election, party national convener Arvind Kejriwal made a public appearance to clarify his stance on speculation surrounding a possible Rajya Sabha nomination. Kejriwal firmly stated that he will not be heading to the Upper House of Parliament. Responding to media queries after AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora clinched victory in the by-poll and is now expected to vacate his Rajya Sabha seat, Kejriwal said, 'I am not going to the Rajya Sabha. The party's Political Affairs Committee will decide who will be nominated for the vacant seat.' The Ludhiana West seat had fallen vacant after the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi earlier this year. Sanjeev Arora's win has not only strengthened AAP's position in Punjab but also sparked speculation about internal reshuffling, including a potential parliamentary role for Kejriwal—a notion the party chief has now dismissed. Reacting to the win, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his elation and called it a strong endorsement of the AAP government's performance. In a celebratory Instagram post, Mann wrote, 'This massive victory is a clear signal that the people of Punjab are happy with our work. We are serving with honesty, without discrimination, for the growth and prosperity of the state.' Mann also reaffirmed his government's commitment to delivering on promises made to the people during the election campaign. 'We will fulfil every promise made to Punjabis, and we will do it on a priority basis. Congratulations to Sanjeev Arora, and a big thank you to our leadership and the volunteers who worked day and night to make this victory possible,' he added.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
AAP wins key seats in Gujarat and Punjab by-elections
New Delhi: After a disappointing performance in the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made a strong political comeback by securing victories in crucial by-elections held in Gujarat and Punjab. These wins have rejuvenated the party's cadre and bolstered its national ambitions, bringing back a festive atmosphere to the AAP headquarters in Delhi. In Gujarat, AAP achieved a significant breakthrough by winning the Visavadar Assembly seat, traditionally considered a BJP stronghold. Party leader Gopal Italia emerged victorious with a convincing margin of over 17,000 votes. Italia garnered 75,942 votes, while his closest rival, Kirit Patel of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured 58,388 votes. The win in Visavadar is being viewed as a strong indication of AAP's growing influence in a state long dominated by the BJP. Meanwhile, in Punjab's Ludhiana West constituency, AAP scored another key victory. Sanjeev Arora, currently serving as a member of the Rajya Sabha for the party, won the by-election by defeating candidates from both the Congress and BJP. Arora received 35,179 votes, while Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Anshu came in second with 24,542 votes. The Ludhiana West seat had been vacant since January 2025, following the sudden death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi due to a gunshot injury. Fourteen candidates had contested for the seat, but Arora's campaign maintained a clear edge from the start. The dual victories triggered celebrations at the AAP headquarters in Delhi, where senior party leaders, including Delhi state president Saurabh Bhardwaj and senior leader Gopal Rai gathered to congratulate the workers. Bhardwaj called it a strong return for party convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying, 'This is not just a win in by-elections—this is a strong statement from the people.' The sentiment was echoed by many within the party, who believe that these results represent a shift in momentum after recent setbacks. Political observers have also pointed to the broader implications of the Ludhiana West result. According to analyst Naveen Gautam, the victory is not just a local triumph, it reflects continued public support for the AAP-led government in Punjab, just two years ahead of the next Assembly elections. He noted that the seat, formed in 1977, has mostly been dominated by Congress in recent decades, making AAP's repeat win even more meaningful. More significantly, the Ludhiana West result has sparked discussions about a potential change in AAP's leadership dynamics. Since Sanjeev Arora will now serve in the Punjab Assembly, he is expected to vacate his Rajya Sabha seat. This has led to widespread speculation that Arvind Kejriwal could be nominated to Parliament through this route. Notably, he is currently out on bail in a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquorpolicy, a seat in the Rajya Sabha could offer Kejriwal political insulation and a new platform in central politics.
