The Congress has named Bharat Bhushan Ashu as its candidate for the upcoming bye-election to the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the 64 - Ludhiana West constituency.
The announcement was formalised by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who approved Ashu’s candidature, according to an official press release issued by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Thursday.
The decision to field Ashu, a senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister in Punjab, comes as the party seeks to consolidate its position in the state ahead of the crucial bye-poll. Ashu, who has previously represented Ludhiana West in the Assembly, is expected to face a stiff contest from rival candidates, particularly from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both of whom are looking to expand their influence in Punjab.
The bye-election was necessitated following the resignation of the sitting MLA, creating a political vacuum in one of Punjab’s key urban constituencies. The Congress, which has been working to regain its electoral footing after setbacks in recent state and national elections, is banking on Ashu’s local connect and administrative experience to reclaim the seat.
The ruling AAP, which swept the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, is yet to announce its candidate but is expected to mount a strong challenge to retain its influence in the state. The BJP, on the other hand, has been attempting to make inroads in Punjab following its split with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
With the bye-election likely to be a litmus test for all major parties ahead of the general elections, the Congress is positioning itself to reclaim lost ground in Punjab, where it ruled until 2022.
The election schedule is expected to be announced by the Election Commission soon, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in Ludhiana West.
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