MP Arora to contest Ludhiana (West) bypoll

Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora is likely to be the AAP candidate for the Ludhiana (West) bypoll. A formal announcement to this effect will be made by the party on Wednesday.

The seat had fallen vacant following the mysterious death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi on January 10 night. As per rules, the bypoll to elect a new MLA for the vacant seat has to be held within six months.

AAP sources said the party high command had chosen the business tycoon-philanthropist-turned-politician Arora (61) for the bypoll. Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal met Arora in New Delhi this afternoon and asked him to contest the bypoll. He reportedly assured him of a key role and responsibility in the state government.

Ludhiana native who runs the “Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust” in memory of his parents, Arora has so far adopted over 300 cancer patients. He is the vice-president of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Following the party’s ouster from Delhi, the Bhagwant Mann-led state government has been in the eye of a storm with reports of a major rejig or change of guard doing the rounds. “It will be following Arora’s entry into state politics that a major reshuffle will take place,” party insiders said.

According to party sources, Arora’s entry into state politics is aimed at consolidating the Hindu vote bank in the light of BJP making inroads into urban areas in Punjab in the recent parliamentary poll.