In a dramatic political turnaround, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has surged back into the national spotlight with emphatic victories in the recent legislative assembly by-elections, reasserting its strength after recent challenges in Delhi. With commanding wins in Punjab’s Ludhiana West and Gujarat’s Visavadar constituencies, AAP has not only silenced its critics but also positioned itself confidently for the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls.
Arvind Kejriwal: Architect of a Resurgence
The Ludhiana West bypoll marked a significant political milestone. AAP’s candidate, Sanjeev Arora, clinched a sweeping victory, a triumph attributed largely to the meticulously orchestrated campaign led by party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. With both Congress and BJP mounting vigorous attacks—suggesting that Arora’s win would pave the way for Kejriwal’s entry into the Rajya Sabha—the AAP chief laid all speculation to rest post-victory, unequivocally stating that he had no intention of joining the Upper House.
This win has been dubbed “historic” by political observers—not merely for its margin, but for the symbolism: Kejriwal, undeterred by setbacks, is once again setting the tone for national opposition politics.
Gujarat: AAP Breaches Congress Turf
If Punjab showcased AAP’s consolidation, Gujarat demonstrated its expansion. In Visavadar, AAP stunned traditional players by wresting the seat while the Congress candidate fared so poorly he forfeited his deposit, garnering just 5,501 votes. The result is a significant blow to Congress and a clear signal that AAP is making inroads in new political territories once thought impenetrable.
Congress: Fractured from Within, Faltering on the Field
The Congress debacle in Ludhiana West revealed deep fissures within the party. Candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu publicly accused Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa of failing to support his campaign. Meanwhile, local leadership turned the blame inward, pointing fingers at Ashu’s arrogance and inability to galvanize workers. The result? A fractured campaign, a fragmented party, and a forgotten vote base.
Kejriwal’s 2027 Vision: ‘A Storm is Coming’
Celebrating AAP’s twin victories, Arvind Kejriwal declared, “2027 will bring a political storm in Punjab.” The message was clear: the groundwork has been laid, and the movement is gathering force. Kejriwal credited the win to the party’s internal discipline and collective unity—hallmarks he believes will define AAP’s future trajectory.
Joining Kejriwal in the campaign were Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and senior leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, underscoring the high command’s full-throttle investment in Punjab’s political battlefield.
BJP: A Fading Pulse in the Bypoll Map
Of the five seats contested across four states, the BJP managed to clinch just one. Despite its aggressive posture, the party failed to make any meaningful inroads in Ludhiana West. The result further highlighted Kejriwal’s sharp electoral instincts and the resonance of AAP’s governance narrative—especially in urban constituencies.
The Road Ahead: AAP’s Strategy Summit in Delhi
With momentum on its side, the Aam Aadmi Party is now setting its gaze firmly on the future. Kejriwal has called a high-level strategy meeting in Delhi to review the bypoll results, celebrate the party’s performance, and chart the roadmap ahead. Senior AAP leaders and Punjab ministers are expected to attend the session, which could shape the party’s messaging and mobilisation in the lead-up to 2027.
From retreat to resurgence, the bypolls have cemented Arvind Kejriwal’s status as a political force that refuses to be counted out. If these results are any indication, AAP is not just preparing for 2027—it is accelerating toward it.