23 september 2024 : As promised by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ahead of the Jalandhar West bypoll, AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat was inducted into the cabinet on Monday. Joining him were Barinder Kumar Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Hardeep Singh Mundian, and Dr. Ravjot Singh in the reshuffle.
Mohinder Bhagat, 66, secured a decisive win in the bypoll, defeating BJP’s Sheetal Angural by 37,325 votes. Bhagat, the son of BJP veteran Chunni Lal Bhagat, had joined AAP after a political shift from BJP, with his father’s emotional response to the decision drawing attention. His victory was largely supported by the Bhagat community, making up 20% of voters in Jalandhar West.
Barinder Kumar Goyal, 65, a lawyer, previously contested as a BJP candidate but joined AAP in 2022, securing a win in Lehragaga. He has a history of legal and political involvement, including a controversial election battle for the Lehragaga Municipal Council.
Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, 40, a long-time AAP loyalist and the party’s state vice-president, won the Khanna seat with a margin of over 35,000 votes. His political journey highlights his deep party loyalty and active involvement in local affairs.
Hardeep Singh Mundian, 48, triumphed in his first election from Sahnewal, defeating Congress’s Vikram Singh Bajwa by over 15,000 votes. Initially part of the Lok Insaaf Party, he shifted to AAP just before the 2022 elections.
Dr. Ravjot Singh, 47, an MD from PGIMER, Chandigarh, and a healthcare advocate, represents Sham Chaurasi. Known for his clean image and dedication, Dr. Ravjot has been committed to public service, focusing on improving healthcare and infrastructure in his constituency. He secured a strong victory in 2022, defeating Congress’s Pawan Adia by over 21,000 votes.