Tired voters, SAD hope: Party candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman Ghuman for redemption in Ludhiana West assembly seat in Punjab.

Ludhiana: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman has hit the campaign trail with quiet persistence, hoping to revive the party's fortunes in Ludhiana West ahead of the crucial by-election.

Ghuman, an advocate by profession, is banking on voter fatigue with both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu to stage an upset. "With the grace of God, people are showing love and affection for our campaign," Ghuman said. "They are disillusioned with unkept promises and have already experienced the Congress candidate's leadership style."

The SAD last held the seat in 2007 when advocate Harish Rai Dhanda won under the then-BJP-SAD alliance. Since then, the seat remained with the BJP while the alliance lasted. In 2022, after parting ways with the BJP, SAD fielded Maheshinder Singh Grewal, who failed to make significant inroads, finishing a distant fourth.

Despite past setbacks, party leaders are treating the Ludhiana West bypoll as a strategic turning point. With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on the horizon, SAD insiders say this contest is a "do-or-die" moment for rebuilding grassroots support.

While acknowledging the ruling party's natural edge in a by-election, SAD leaders draw inspiration from past upsets—such as Manpreet Ayali's 2019 bypoll victory in Dakha over a sitting Congress candidate. Party sources say they are hoping for a similar "miracle" to spark a resurgence.

Ghuman's campaign strategy—smaller, focused public meetings—echoes the party's broader approach: steady groundwork rather than a flashy offensive. "Slow and steady wins the race," he said, confident that the public's dissatisfaction will translate into votes.

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