Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi campaigns for Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu in Ludhiana West and criticizes Aam Aadmi Party leadership
Ludhiana: With just 11 days left until the Ludhiana West byelection, political heat intensified on Sunday as Aam Aadmi Party's former MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi accused its supremo Arvind Kejriwal of remote-controlling Punjab's govt and betraying the ideals of the AAP movement.
Now a Congress member and sitting MP from Patiala, Dr Gandhi was in Ludhiana to campaign for Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu. At a press conference with senior Congress figures — including legislator Rana Gurjit Singh, former minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, and former MLA Kuljit Nagra — Dr Gandhi urged voters to "send a message" to Kejriwal by defeating AAP in the upcoming byelection.
Accusing AAP of abandoning its anti-elitist platform, he said: "They called themselves Aam Aadmi, but now live like VIPs."
He said the same leaders who once rejected VIP culture now revelled in privilege, sidelining grassroots voices and imposing Delhi's control on Punjab's governance. Dr Gandhi, a cardiologist who began his political journey with AAP during the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, said he was drawn in by promises of revolution and clean politics — but soon saw what he called "the true colours" of the party.
He accused Kejriwal specifically of dominating Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that major appointments and decision-making power have been handed over to Delhi-based leaders.
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"Even the CM's own office hasn't been spared," he said. "Delhi people have started running Punjab."
Dr Gandhi cited personal experiences that led to his break with AAP, including clashes with party leadership over parliamentary speeches and community development issues. He claimed he was pressured by AAP leaders like Raghav Chadha to stick to talking points set by Delhi and was blocked from advocating for a cremation ground for Dalits in villages.
"Kejriwal didn't want me to raise Punjab's real issues," Dr Gandhi said.
"They tried to muzzle me in Parliament, and now they're trying to muzzle Punjab."
Calling the bypoll a referendum on self-governance, he urged voters in Ludhiana West to reject what he called "outsider rule" and elect Ashu to restore local autonomy. "This election is not just about one seat," he said. "It's about standing up for Punjab."
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