Latest news with #SanjeevArora


Time of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Our soil is fertile but hatred cannot grow here: Bhagwant Singh Mann
Ludhiana: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann also campaigned for AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora in Haibowal and Gopal Nagar areas. Participants included minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLAs Gurpreet Singh Banawali and Chaudhary Madan Lal Bagga, besides the mayor, councillors, and other AAP representatives. Addressing the gathering, CM Mann stressed the importance of transparent governance and public welfare. He urged constituents to support Sanjeev Arora in the bypoll to sustain ongoing development projects. CM Mann also criticised opposition parties for their alleged corrupt practices. "Congress leaders fight for chairs, not for people's welfare. Akali leaders nurtured drug and gangster culture in Punjab, and now they claim to be saviours," he said. He also denounced the political exploitation of religious sentiments. Mann specifically addressed Sukhbir Singh Badal's actions, accusing him of exploiting Punjab's resources. He referenced the farmers' protests, questioning the opposition's true allegiances and highlighting their alleged accumulation of wealth through questionable means. Discussing industrial development, Mann announced new initiatives and enhanced support for MSMEs. He outlined plans for economic growth, employment generation and industrial expansion, promising infrastructure development to attract substantial investments benefiting residents. Addressing the drug issue, CM Mann promised strict action against drug traffickers while advocating rehabilitation for users. "These profiteers have destroyed families and built lavish homes; they will face bulldozers, not forgiveness," he warned, affirming his administration's dedication to creating a drug-free Punjab. The chief minister emphasised Punjab's unity, stating, "Our soil is fertile for every seed, but hatred cannot grow here. Brotherhood is our strength." He criticised opposition parties' divisive tactics and religious manipulation, affirming his commitment to serve all 3.5 crore Punjabis regardless of their political preferences. Mann concluded by addressing Ashu's corruption allegations, noting ongoing court cases regarding tender scams and transport irregularities. He criticised Ashu's alleged misuse of power and promised continued action against those who had harmed Punjab's interests. . MSID:: 121654728 413 |


Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Demanding job regularisation, computer teachers hold protest
The Computer Teachers Union of Punjab held a state-level protest on Sunday, outside the residence of Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora, drawing attention to the government's alleged neglect of long-standing demands of computer teachers. Union leaders sharply criticised the Punjab government for what they called a deliberate delay in fulfilling their legitimate demands. These include the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission, regularisation under Punjab Civil Service Rules and full benefits in death cases and regular service. Union leaders pointed out that computer teachers have been working in regular roles since 2011. Over the past three years, the union has held several meetings with the government. 'While our demands were acknowledged as valid during these meetings, no actual steps have been taken to resolve them,' said one of the protesters. Teachers feel they are being deliberately ignored, despite their continued contributions to the education system. The union announced that a larger rally would be held outside the Education Bhawan in Mohali later in June. They also declared that if their issues are not resolved, a massive state-wide protest would follow, for which the government and administration would be fully responsible. Union leaders present at the rally included Punjab general secretary Harpreet Singh, senior vice presidents Harjeet Singh Sandhu, Anil Aeri, Rakhi Mannan, Sikander Singh and Paramveer Singh Sandhu, along with Gurpreet Singh from Mansa and district leaders like Har Rai Kumar (Ludhiana), Ravinder Singh (Hoshiarpur), Gurpinder Singh (Gurdaspur), Davinder Singh (Ferozepur), including many more supporters from different districts were also present. Har Rai Kumar, district president of the Computer Teachers Union, said, 'We met MP Sanjeev Arora on Sunday, and he has assured us that he will help arrange a meeting with the concerned officials in the coming week. But the truth is, we have already met the education minister and several other officials multiple times but to no avail. That is why we now want to meet the chief minister directly to resolve our issues.' Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora said, 'I have fixed their meeting with the finance minister on Monday.'


Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
With ₹278 crore net worth, AAP's Sanjeev Arora is Punjab's richest assembly candidate ever
Ahead of the upcoming Ludhiana West by-election, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate and Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora has declared ₹278 crore in net assets in his affidavit to the Election Commission. With the inclusion of his wife Sandhya Arora's assets, the couple's total net worth surpasses ₹301 crore, making Arora the wealthiest political figure in Punjab's history to date. According to the affidavit submitted by Arora, his movable assets alone are valued at ₹268 crore. These assets include ₹78,845 in cash, ₹2.71 crore in bank and financial deposits, and ₹254 crore invested in bonds, shares, mutual funds and other financial instruments. Additionally, Arora owns a Toyota Fortuner SUV, which is valued at ₹38.06 lakh. His immovable assets are worth ₹10.36 crore, while his declared liabilities stand at ₹19.43 crore. With this declaration, Arora has overtaken Kulwant Singh, a prominent AAP leader and Mohali MLA, who previously held the title of the richest politician in the state. Singh had declared assets worth ₹238 crore in the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, which included ₹203.88 crore in movable assets and nearly ₹34 crore in immovable property, largely in Mohali and Ludhiana. According to Arora's affidavit filed during the Rajya Sabha elections, he owned assets worth over ₹460 crore and his liabilities were over ₹37 crore. Other affluent political figures in Punjab include Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, both of whom declared assets worth ₹202.64 crore during the 2022 assembly elections. Their wealth is primarily derived from extensive agricultural landholdings and various business interests. Prominent among other high-net-worth individuals in Punjab's political scene are former Congress cabinet minister Rana Gurjeet Singh and his son Rana Inder Pratap Singh. While Gurjeet Singh's wealth, which stood at ₹125.66 crore in the 2022 elections, has been closely linked to his business dealings, he remains one of the richest figures in the state's political arena. Asset watch Total assets (including spouse): ₹301 crore Movable assets: ₹268 crore Immovable assets: ₹10.36 crore Vehicle: Toyota Fortuner ₹38.06 lakh Cash in hand: ₹78,845 Jewellery: ₹2.14 crore Liabilities: ₹19.43 crore Pending criminal cases: None


Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
AAP leaders come together in show of strength
TNN Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders put their weight behind party candidate Sanjeev Arora as he filed nomination papers on Friday. The leaders who arrived in the city for the AAP roadshow on Friday included party national convener Arvind Kejriwal , chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann , former Delhi chief minister and leader of opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Atishi Marlena. The roadshow started from Aarti Chowk, covered Ghumar Mandi area and concluded at Bhai Bala Chowk. AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora shared an open vehicle with Kejriwal, CM Mann, Atishi Marlena and party's Punjab president Aman Arora. Addressing the gathering, Arvind Kejriwal acknowledged the efforts of the supporters who braved the scorching heat to back Sanjeev Arora. He also thanked residents for their historic mandate in 2022, when AAP won 92 out of 117 seats in Punjab. Talking about Ludhiana West, Kejriwal said, "In 2022, you voted against arrogance and anger by electing Gurpreet Gogi Ji as your MLA. While his untimely demise was a great loss, Sanjeev Arora is now here to continue his legacy. Sanjeev Arora needs no introduction; he is a true son of Ludhiana." Lauding Arora's dedication towards Ludhiana, he said, "He is always thinking about Ludhiana's progress and advocating the city's development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo There could be no better candidate and representative for Ludhiana West." Emphasising the importance of electing an AAP candidate, Kejriwal said, "The government is ours and the work will be done by us. The opposition is only hurling abuses, which is what they will continue to do for the next two years. If you want progress, choose Sanjeev Arora. If you want anger and arrogance, you know where to go." CM Bhagwant Mann reflected on the legacy of late MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi and projected Arora as a worthy successor. Highlighting the "passion and energy" displayed by the supporters, Mann said, "With the kind of enthusiasm you all have shown, it doesn't matter where our election symbol is placed on the ballot. You will ensure that we are number one." He assured that the party would transform Ludhiana West into a model constituency. AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora highlighted the work done by him and his party, claiming that issues hanging fire for over 50 years had been resolved. He cited the example of grant of property rights to residents of "Lal lakir," an issue which was being flagged for decades. He vowed to transform Ludhiana into a "model city" if elected and said that people from across the country would look up to Ludhiana as an example to emulate. Box 1: Vouching for Sanjeev Arora —In the course of an informal interaction with mediapersons, AAP state president Aman Arora predicted a resounding victory for MP Sanjeev Arora in the bypoll. —Aman Arora commended the party candidate as being widely recognised for his "consistent efforts" in driving holistic development in Ludhiana and surrounding areas. —Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who was present at the mini-secretariat during the filing of nomination papers, said that the party would clinch a record victory. —Cabinet minister Dr Ravjot Singh also maintained that the AAP candidate would win the election with a wide margin. Box 2: MP's son files papers too As Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, filed his nomination papers in the presence of senior party leaders, his son Kavya Arora filed nomination papers as covering candidate. Kavya was accompanied by his mother, Sandhya Arora. Dr Sukhchain Kaur Gogi, wife of late MLA Gurpreet Gogi, and her son, Savraj Gogi, were also present on the occasion. Box 5: Seeking divine intervention AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora began his day by visiting religious places in the city. Accompanied by his family members, including his son Kavya Arora, he paid obeisance at Shree Durga Mata Mandir near Jagraon Bridge and Dukh Niwaran Sahib gurdwara. MSID:: 121518663 413 |


Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shiromani Akali Dal protests Punjab govt land acquisition and alleged scam in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana: Shiromani Akali Dal's Ludhiana West assembly byelection candidate, advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, has accused Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of orchestrating a massive land scam that could devastate Punjab's farmers and economy. Ghumman said the state govt's plan to acquire 24,311 acres of fertile farmland across 32 villages to develop an urban estate was a betrayal of the people. He alleged that the Bhagwant Mann administration was using the pretext of development to misappropriate an estimated ₹125 lakh crore and funnel Punjab's resources to Delhi. "This is not just about farmers — it's an attack on Punjab's economy, identity and the livelihood of common citizens," Ghumman told reporters on Tuesday. He announced that his party will hold a large-scale protest outside the Ferozepur Road office of Glada (Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority) on Wednesday, where it will also submit a memorandum of demands to the authorities concerned. Ghumman criticised the govt's messaging, claiming it was misleading the public by portraying the land acquisition as beneficial to farmers. He pointed to Punjab's economic decline, noting that the state, which once ranked second in the country in 2017, had now fallen to 26th position. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo He also accused the Mann govt of destabilising Punjab's agrarian foundations deliberately. "Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Any move against farmers is a move against the state," he said. Ghumman alleged that more than 15,000 new voter entries had been added post-publication of the final electoral roll, on the ruling party's instructions purportedly. He has warned the govt that if these entries are allowed in the election, the SAD will take the matter to court. "The govt is using every tactic to ruin Punjab," Ghumman alleged. "But we will not tolerate it. Our protest will expose and dismantle the anti-Punjab agenda. " box 'Hoarding row highlights campaign bias' Ghumman further alleged that municipal officials were targeting his campaign hoardings in a "pick and choose" manner, while ignoring violations by rival parties. "AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora's hoardings are visible even outside the constituency, yet no action is taken. Where is this funding coming from?" he asked, citing concerns over election expenditure limits. box '150+ complaints, but no action' The SAD leader claimed his party had submitted more than 150 complaints to the Election Commission regarding violations of the model code of conduct for the Ludhiana West bypoll, but the authority had taken no action. He claimed to have also raised objections against a joint press conference held by the deputy commissioner and AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora. MSID:: 121438649 413 |