In a repeat act, AAP replaces ‘tainted’ Arora with Nitin Kohli

Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) act of distancing itself from its legislators involved in corruption has been played for the second consecutive time as the party has brought in industrialist Nitin Kohli as Jalandhar Central halqa in charge amid the ongoing VB probe against the party sitting MLA from the constituency, Raman Arora.

The fielding of Kohli and replacing Arora as halqa in charge reminds of a similar narrative played by the party when it last year brought in Mohinder Bhagat from Jalandhar West in place of then MLA Sheetal Angural, who was facing an alleged corruption case before joining the BJP.

“As charges of corruption flew between AAP and Angural, the AAP swiftly got into damage control mode projecting Bhagat as AAP’s clean face for Jalandhar West bypoll. It has done the same by bringing in Kohli in Jalandhar Central this year,” said a party leader. After winning the Jalandhar West byelection, Bhagat rose to become a Cabinet minister.

Addressing questions on Kohli’s possible elevation in future, state president Aman Arora today said that, “AAP is known to take people to great heights. Our work is to provide a platform to people. Rest depends on their mettle and how much they can rise.”

Kohli has background in fields of sports as he has served as president of Hockey Punjab. He is MD of Hike Shoe Pvt Ltd, founder of Tracer Shoes, owns his family brand Vijayanti (which manufactures hockey equipment) and is also an eminent educationist.

AAP cadres had first heard whispers about Kohli and his sphere of influence (in the political arena) when the then Congress man, Sushil Rinku, joined the AAP in 2023, ahead of the Jalandhar bypoll. Close to Rinku, Kohli was present during Rinku’s joining the AAP and he also supported Rinku when he joined the BJP in 2024. Also close to Congress MLA Pargat Singh and AAP RS MP Ashok Mittal, he had also backed the appointment of present Mayor of Jalandhar Vinit Dhir.

Kohli is also said to have played a pivotal role in the AAP’s establishment of a majority in the Jalandhar MC house. Along with AAP’s anti-drug and anti-corruption drives, the party aims to project a cleaner image in the state ahead of the 2027 poll. The party is installing more people friendly leaders and sources said more heads may roll in this regard.

He is also among the few influential businessmen who enjoy a decent working relationships with all parties, is friends with many leaders, and are often relied on — even by political parties— as neutral middlemen in times of crisis, to broker peace and compromises. With Kohli choosing allegiance with the AAP - it will be interesting to see in the coming months whether he also emerges as the party’s chosen face for the much speculated Jalandhar Central bypoll/election, if and when it happens.