Ludhiana: In the recent by-election held for the Ludhiana West assembly seat in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Sanjeev Arora secured a significant victory. Arora won the election by a margin of 10,603 votes, receiving a total of 35,179 votes. This seat had fallen vacant after the demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, following which the party fielded Sanjeev Arora as its candidate. Notably, Sanjeev Arora is also a Rajya Sabha MP from AAP. But who is Sanjeev Arora, and why was he chosen by AAP for this crucial seat? Here’s a detailed look—
A Successful Entrepreneur Turned Politician
Sanjeev Arora is a seasoned entrepreneur whose business interests span real estate, metal industry, and textiles. He graduated in Commerce from SCD Government College, Ludhiana. Apart from being a businessman, Arora is also known for his social work. With over 30 years of business experience, he began his entrepreneurial journey in 1986 with Ritesh Industries Ltd. and went on to open his first export office in Virginia, USA, facilitating the export of Indian goods to the American market.
A Personal Tragedy Sparked a Healthcare Mission
Sanjeev Arora lost both his parents to cancer, a tragedy that deeply impacted him and motivated him to contribute to the healthcare sector. Around 15 years ago, he founded the “Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust”, through which over 300 patients have received treatment, including more than 160 cancer patients.
Entry Into Politics
Arora entered politics in 2021 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 10, 2022, as a representative of the Aam Aadmi Party. During his tenure in Parliament, he has raised several key issues, especially related to infrastructure, industry, healthcare services, and airport development projects.
Business Expansion and ‘Make in India’ Initiatives
In 2018, he launched Femella Fashion Ltd., a women’s clothing brand. The following year, in 2019, he collaborated with Suzuki Motors under the Make in India initiative and ventured into the metal industry through a partnership with Tenerron Ltd.
Sanjeev Arora stands out as a rare combination of business acumen, social responsibility, and political engagement. His growing influence within the Aam Aadmi Party and his recent electoral victory in Ludhiana West underline his rising prominence in Punjab’s political landscape.
