Chandigarh, June 6 (UNI) The Congress suffered a setback in Ludhiana West, by-election for which is due June 19, as at least two dozen families of party leaders joined the ruling AAP on Friday. Those who switched their loyalty also included independent candidate Chandan Chhanaliya.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann formally inducted the new entrants into the party in the presence of Ludhiana West AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora and party MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal.

Among those who joined the party were educationist Simmi Chopra Pashan, Vinayak Pashan, Chanderjit Karan, Ranbir Singh (retired police officer and former international volleyball player), advocates Jeevanjot and Mamta Arora, and Manish Aggarwal.

Addressing the media, Mann said the fresh inclusion has further strengthened the party's position in the Ludhiana West by-election. He said that the people of Punjab are extremely happy with the free electricity, education, and healthcare services provided by the AAP government.

The Chief Minister, impressed by the significant number of women joining the party, praised their active participation in politics and said all individuals would be given due recognition in both the party organization and government.

UNI GS PRS