The Run-Up To Ludhiana West Bypoll Heats Up

Ludhiana West by-election heats up with AAP and Congress vying for control ahead of 2027 polls.

- TARUNI GANDHI

Ludhiana is a Seismic Zone IV area, making it prone to earthquakes. However, palpable tremors are currently being felt in the political arena as the Ludhiana West by-election approaches in May. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been campaigning aggressively for the last month under the leadership of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, while Congress is set to announce former Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu as its candidate, paving the way for fierce competition.

Speaking with The Sunday Guardian about his birth city, an earthquake-prone area, and the development of building regulations, Arora, a former industrialist-turned-politician, said that at 61 years of age, having grown up in Ludhiana, he had never experienced a major earthquake. However, he acknowledged that this does not rule out the possibility of one occurring in the future. He emphasised that the system is aware of the risks, and Ludhiana is currently witnessing the construction of earthquake-resistant structures, while older buildings are being scrutinised.