Arvind Kejriwal’s Sweeping Return to National Politics; AAP Wins Big in Gujarat & Punjab

NEW DELHI, 23 JUNE: In a stunning electoral upset that has rattled both the BJP and Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has clinched historic wins in the Ludhiana West Assembly seat in Punjab and the Visavadar seat in Gujarat—Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home turf. These bypoll victories mark a powerful rebuttal to the deceit and manipulation AAP faced in Delhi, sending a clear message that the people continue to back Arvind Kejriwal’s model of governance rooted in performance and public service.

With this decisive mandate, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has made a formidable return to the national political arena. Celebrations erupted within the party as Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, and others congratulated workers and voters for scripting AAP’s defining moment in Indian politics.

Extending heartfelt congratulations, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann took to ‘X’ and wrote: “Hearty congratulations to everyone on AAP’s remarkable victory in the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll. This huge lead clearly indicates that the people of Punjab are very happy with our government’s work. We are working day and night with honesty and without any bias for the progress and prosperity of Punjab. Every promise made during the by-election will be fulfilled on priority. Heartiest congratulations to Sanjeev Arora ji, and to the entire leadership and volunteer teams who worked tirelessly for this victory.”

Senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia hailed the twin victories: “It’s a moment of great happiness for every AAP worker that we’ve won both seats—each extremely significant. The Ludhiana West seat became vacant due to the untimely demise of AAP MLA Gogi ji, and now it is back with AAP. This win has greatly boosted the morale of our workers in Punjab. The Bhagwant Mann government’s exceptional work in education, health, electricity, water, farmer welfare, jobs, and the fight against drugs has won the hearts of Punjabis. AAP has won the semi-final in Punjab—now it’s time for the final.

Highlighting the importance of Gujarat, Manish Sisodia added: “Gujarat was also very important for AAP. Gopal Italia is a bold and sharp leader who will become a strong voice for the people of Gujarat, whose issues were never allowed to be raised. This victory has brought joy to AAP workers across the country. It indicates that the people of Gujarat trust Arvind Kejriwal’s politics of work.”

Celebrating the massive victory in Visavadar, Manish Sisodia wrote on X: “A spectacular win in Gujarat—Gujarat’s lion Gopal Italia will now roar in the Assembly. This is the victory of every worker who gave it their all. Congratulations from the heart to every AAP foot soldier. Congratulations to Gopal Italia on his win in Visavadar—he’s a lion who will now raise issues of education, health, and farmers in the Gujarat Assembly.”

Meanwhile, for the Ludhiana West victory, He wrote: “In Punjab, AAP has won the semi-final—now it’s time for the final. Congratulations to Arvind Kejriwal, CM Bhagwant Mann, Sanjeev Arora, Team Punjab, and every AAP worker. The opposition was calling the Ludhiana bypoll a semi-final—AAP has won the semi-final and under Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, we’ll win the final too. This is a victory for AAP’s politics of work.”

Senior AAP leader and Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj highlighted the broader national impact of these results: “Out of the five Assembly bypoll results declared today, AAP has won two seats. One seat each went to Congress, TMC, and BJP. Notably, AAP defeated BJP on the Visavadar seat in Gujarat, which in itself is a major political message. The BJP, which has been falsely claiming that it has ended AAP by manipulating the system in Delhi, has now received a strong rebuttal. With this win, Arvind Kejriwal has made a powerful comeback to national politics. The BJP—the party of billionaires—has suffered a major blow. Across the country, ordinary and poor people are regaining faith in the electoral system.”

On Sanjeev Arora’s nomination and win from Ludhiana West, Saurabh Bharadwaj said: “One reason we chose Sanjeev Arora as our candidate was because, as a Rajya Sabha MP, he worked extensively in Ludhiana and is well-loved for his social work. He had expressed a desire to serve the people of Ludhiana more directly as an MLA. The party entrusted him with this responsibility. As Arvind Kejriwal has indicated, Sanjeev Arora may be given an even larger role in the Punjab government in the future. As for the Rajya Sabha seat, the party’s leadership and the Political Affairs Committee will soon discuss and nominate a qualified candidate.”

AAP MP Sanjay Singh also hailed the Visavadar victory: “A phenomenal win in BJP’s bastion of Gujarat. Gopal Italia has won the Visavadar seat by a massive margin of 17,581 votes. Heartfelt congratulations to Arvind Kejriwal, Team Gujarat, the people of Gujarat, and every single AAP worker.”

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, noted the national message of these results and wrote: “The landslide victories in Ludhiana West and Visavadar prove that the people of India want politics of work. For those who had written off Arvind Kejriwal’s politics, this is a clear signal—he will take his politics of governance to every corner of the country. Congratulations to the people of Ludhiana and Visavadar, and best wishes to all AAP workers in Punjab and Gujarat.”

Senior AAP leader and Gujarat Prabhari Gopal Rai took to X and contextualised the Gujarat victory: “This is a historic win in Gujarat. The BJP poached the elected MLA through Operation Lotus and avoided holding elections for 1.5 years. They deployed the entire government machinery. Yet, Gujarat’s farmers gave a decisive answer. Their message is clear—if BJP thinks it can suppress them using state power, they will resist. Gopal Italia received immense love and support, and the margin of victory was three times greater than last time. This is a signal that the days of BJP’s Operation Lotus politics are numbered. Visavadar’s historic result signals the beginning of change in Gujarat—and that change will only grow stronger.”

Senior AAP leader and national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda wrote on X: “Those who remain silent often possess the skills that shake the world. In Modi’s home turf Gujarat, by defeating BJP and Congress in the Assembly bypoll, Arvind Kejriwal has made a thunderous comeback to national politics.”

Senior AAP leader and Gujarat Sah-Prabhari Durgesh Pathak declared: “Rejecting the government’s entire machinery, BJP’s hooliganism, and its unlimited funds, the people of Visavadar have elected Gopal Italia with an overwhelming mandate—ushering in a new era in Gujarat politics. Heartfelt congratulations to AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Gopal Italia, and the entire Gujarat team on this historic win.”