NEW DELHI — The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pulled off a significant win on Monday by bagging two of the five assembly seats contested in the recent by-elections, including Visavadar in Gujarat and Ludhiana West in Punjab. The victories are being seen as a morale boost for the party after its setback in the Delhi elections earlier this year.
🔹 Kejriwal Reacts: “People Are Fed Up With BJP”
Speaking at a press conference, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal celebrated the outcome, calling it a clear message from voters:
“It’s always said the ruling party wins bypolls, but in Gujarat, where BJP controls the government and the entire administration, the people still gave us a double-margin win. It shows they are fed up with the BJP.”
Kejriwal also dismissed speculation about entering the Rajya Sabha following Sanjeev Arora’s win in Punjab. Arora, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP, must now resign from the Upper House after winning the Ludhiana West bypoll.
“I’m not going to the Rajya Sabha. The party’s Political Affairs Committee will decide who will go,” Kejriwal clarified.
🔹 Attack on BJP and Congress
Kejriwal intensified his attack on both national parties:
“Congress and BJP are in a cozy relationship. I urge Congress workers to leave that party and join AAP. Only AAP is fighting the BJP.”
He added that in Gujarat, AAP is now the principal opposition, calling Congress a “puppet” of the BJP.
🔹 Bypoll Results Overview (June 19 Voting)
- ✅ Visavadar (Gujarat) – Gopal Italia (AAP) wins
- ✅ Ludhiana West (Punjab) – Sanjeev Arora (AAP) wins
- ✅ Kadi (Gujarat) – BJP retains seat
- ✅ Nilambur (Kerala) – Congress-led UDF snatches seat from LDF
- 🔄 Kaliganj (West Bengal) – Trinamool Congress leads
With these results, AAP consolidates its growing presence in Gujarat while reinforcing its hold in Punjab. The party’s focus now turns to nominating a replacement for Arora in the Rajya Sabha.