Latest news with #SanjivArora
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
How Ludhiana West bypoll result is crucial for all parties
Jalandhar: The result of the Ludhiana West bypoll is crucial for all four main parties, not only regarding their prospects ahead of the 2027 assembly elections but also concerning their internal factional dynamics. A victory for AAP is extremely crucial, as the party faces questions about its performance on different fronts and strong criticism from the opposition and several other quarters, including a section of their own workers. This criticism is due to the appointment of party leaders from Delhi in different public offices of Punjab and the central leadership further tightening its grip on Punjab govt affairs. The desperation for victory was evident from AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's announcement that their candidate, Sanjiv Arora, would be made minister after victory. He also warned of a 'development freeze' and that 'not a single thing will move forward' if AAP lost the bypoll. The central leadership raised the stakes high with Kejriwal's statements, and Punjab party in-charge Manish Sisodia directly supervised the campaign on the ground. With the contest in the industrial capital of Punjab and AAP picking Arora, who comes from an affluent business background, the significance of this election goes much beyond a constituency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Wrinkle Cream Keeps Selling Out At Costco (Find Out Why) The Skincare Magazine Undo Victory for the ruling party would strengthen the Delhi-based leadership. Factionalism in Punjab Congress, the main opposition party, and the central leadership's failure in tackling it became evident during the electioneering. Two sides clearly emerged: one including Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Waring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa; and the other including former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, MLAs Rana Gurjeet Singh, Pargat Singh, and Bharat Bhushan Ashu. The former camp largely stayed away from the campaigning. The only glue among the leaders in each faction is not their affinity among themselves but opposition to one or the other in the opposing camps. The result would not only have a bearing on the grand old party's trajectory ahead of the general assembly election but would also affect the factional fight, which is expected to exacerbate, whatever the result may be. It clearly emerged that Ashu was not a proxy for any other leader in the factional fight but has his own issues with Waring. BJP has remained a very strong force at the seat. Though the saffron party has not been overly concerned about the short-term results, its performance would be a signal not only for itself but also for Congress and AAP about their future challenges. Though Shiromani Akali Dal is considered the fourth player at the seat, its performance in terms of vote share would be crucial for party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. This is because it would be the first bypoll after the most tumultuous period of his political career, including his being declared 'tankhaiya' by Akal Takht and a five-member committee enrolling parallel membership of Akali Dal. SAD did not contest the four by-elections after the parliament election of 2024.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Poll Body To Make Live Streaming of Election Universal, Dry Run For By-Polls
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has announced the implementation of 100 per cent webcasting across all polling stations in the upcoming bye-elections in four states, in a bid to effect transparent, closely monitored elections. This enhanced surveillance will be rolled out for the first time during the bye-elections of June 19, covering five assembly seats in Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab. Webcasting, which provides live streaming of polling station activities without compromising voter secrecy, was previously limited to 50 per cent of polling stations, particularly in critical and vulnerable areas. With the new directive, all polling stations with internet connectivity will now be covered under this real-time monitoring system. In areas with poor or no internet connectivity (shadow zones), the Commission has mandated videography and photography to ensure that poll-day documentation is maintained. To ensure effective oversight, webcasting control rooms will be set up at the state, district, and assembly constituency levels. These will be managed by dedicated nodal officers assigned to each level. Sources, however, indicate that full-scale implementation may only begin from the Bihar assembly elections later this year. Partial implementation will be done from June 19 bye-polls. Assembly bye-elections are scheduled for two seats in Gujarat, and one each in Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal. The key focus of these bye-elections is the Jalandhar West seat, from where AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjiv Arora is contesting. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal promised to make him a minister in Punjab if he won. The second is Visvadar seat in Gujarat, where AAP's Gujarat face Gopal Italia is contesting. The bye-poll is being held because of the resignation of the AAP MLA who joined the BJP. The third seat is Nilambur in Kerala, where a high-stake contest is due between the UDF and the ruling LDF. The Bengal seat fell vacant because of resignation of IND MLA now he is contesting again -- this time on Trinamool Congress ticket. In another historic move, the Commission has also revised the electoral roll for bye-elections - marking the first such revision in over two decades. This initiative reaffirms the Election Commission's commitment to fair, transparent, and tech-enabled elections across the country. The Commission has also announced the introduction of a new Standard Operating Procedure to fast-track the delivery of Electors Photo Identity Cards or EPICs within 15 days of an update in the electoral rolls. The initiative aims to enhance service delivery while maintaining data security.
