Ludhiana (W) byelection: AAP bigwigs lash out at rivals

In favour of AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, different press conferences were held by senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Mediapersons were briefed by Ministers Aman Arora and Lal Chand Kataruchak. The leaders did not miss any opportunity to target rival candidates and parties.

AAP Punjab president Aman Arora has openly welcomed BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar’s recent statement advocating for greater transparency and accountability in politics. Jakhar suggested that all political leaders undergo dope tests and disclose their properties, starting with party presidents.

Aman Arora lauded the initiative and said: “The Aam Aadmi Party was founded by Arvind Kejriwal with the vision of bringing transparency, honesty and accountability to politics. I am grateful that other parties are now echoing this vision.”

Arora accepted Jakhar’s challenge, stating, “As the state president of a ruling party, it is my responsibility to lead by example. I welcome the suggestion and am ready to disclose my property details, which are already available, and undergo a dope test at a time and place decided by Jakhar. Let us conduct this exercise transparently in the presence of media and medical professionals.”

Urging Jakhar to expand the scope of the challenge, Arora said, “Why limit this to Punjab? Honest leadership is needed across the nation. I request Sunil Jakhar to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda. I will consult with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal to ensure this transparency spreads nationwide.”

Kataruchak slams ‘hypocrisy’ of Cong, BJP leaders

In another press conference, AAP Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, responding to allegations from opponents accusing AAP of being controlled from Delhi said all national parties have a centralised structure. Kataruchak highlighted the hypocrisy of Congress and BJP leaders, stating that Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring doesn’t even have a say in deciding party’s star campaigners for the Ludhiana West byelection and BJP Punjab leadership often prioritise appeasing their ‘Modi Darbar’ over Punjab’s rights and pride.

Kataruchak launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s Punjab model, saying it was being dictated by outsiders, questioning the relevance of appointing Gujarat’s Vijay Rupani to oversee Punjab BJP affairs. “What connection does Rupani have with Punjab’s culture, history or people?” he asked, adding that the BJP’s Punjab strategy reflects a blatant disregard for the state’s identity and aspirations.

Kataruchak compared BJP’s treatment of Punjab to oppressive rule of Mughals. He alleged that BJP’s Delhi-based leadership views Punjab merely as a resource to exploit, without any interest in its development or the welfare of its people. Still, BJP leaders stand with their party instead of Punjab.

Turning his attention to the Congress, Kataruchak mocked the party’s ties with foreign influences, stating: “A party run from Italy has no moral standing to question others.”