Even if the assembly by -elections have not been announced in Punjab, political stir has intensified here. This is the reason that after the Aam Aadmi Party, now the Congress has also announced its candidate in Ludhiana West seat. The Congress has declared Bharat Bhushan Ashu as party candidate for the by -election. After the announcement of the candidates, it is believed that the Election Commission can announce the dates soon. Let us know who the Congress has made its candidate, who is it and what has been a political background.
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi passed away from Ludhiana West seat. Gogi died due to accidental firing from a licensed gun at his house. After this, Ludhiana West seat was vacant. This is the reason that by -elections are going to be held here. On this seat, the Aam Aadmi Party has already made Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora a candidate.
Who is Bharat Bhushan Ashu?
Bharat Bhushan Ashu was born on 20 March 1971. He is considered a big Congress leader in Punjab. He has been a twice MLA from Ludhiana West seat in Punjab. Congress is considered to be very holding. Bharat Bhushan was a cabinet minister in the government of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, at that time he had charge of food, civil supply and consumer affairs.
How was the political journey?
The political journey of Bharat Bhushan Ashu started in the year 1997 from ward number 48 of Ludhiana city of Punjab, when he was elected councilor from here. He also became a councilor in 2002, 2007. Due to being elected councilor for three consecutive times, his name suddenly came into the discussion. This is the reason that Ashu took full advantage of this discussion and started preparing for the assembly directly from the ward.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu had prepared for the assembly elections while being a councilor. He got the result of this hard work. In 2012, the Congress got him a ticket to contest from Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency and became the deputy CLP leader in the Punjab Assembly. In 2017, he was made a cabinet minister.
Ashu has gone to jail in money laundering case
In the money laundering case related to the tender scam in food, civil supply and consumer affairs, the ED was arrested by Bharat Bhushan and his close aide Rajdeep Singh Nagra on 1 August 2024 and 4 September 2024 on charges of money laundering under PMLA 2002. At that time he had to go to jail. In the money laundering case, the ED took action and attached assets worth Rs 22.78 crore.
Ashu’s relationship with controversies
Bharat Bhushan Ashu is more talked about in the politics of the state, much more than that his name remains connected in controversies. In January 2019, Bharat Bhushan Ashu was publicly seen in a public function, abusing the female officer. Then he came into controversies. Apart from this, the threatening video also went viral. In October 2019, Bharat Bhushan Ashu beat the volunteer of his own party during the preparations for the by-election. Apart from this, there are many other cases which kept Ashu in discussions.