Punjab News: AAP Appoints Industrialist Nitin Kohli as Jalandhar Central In-Charge Amid MLA Arrest Turmoil

In a move that signals both damage control and forward strategy, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday formally inducted leading industrialist and Hockey Punjab president Nitin Kohli into its fold, appointing him as the new Jalandhar Central Assembly constituency in-charge.

The development comes just days after the arrest of sitting AAP MLA Raman Arora in a high-profile Vigilance case on May 23, which left the party vulnerable in one of Punjab’s key urban constituencies. Kohli’s appointment is being seen as a deliberate course correction by AAP to restore public trust and reassert its political strength in Jalandhar.

Strategic Pivot After Crisis

While the induction was marked by routine welcome gestures, party insiders and political analysts are interpreting the move as part of a larger narrative shift within AAP Punjab. With its anti-corruption crusade under strain due to internal lapses, the party appears to be transitioning towards a leadership model rooted in technocratic expertise, social stature, and sectoral legitimacy.

"AAP doesn’t believe in dynasties. We give power to the capable," said AAP Punjab chief Aman Arora, positioning Kohli as an embodiment of merit over legacy — a recurring contrast AAP draws against rivals like the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, which have long relied on political families and traditional vote banks.

Who is Nitin Kohli?

Kohli is a prominent businessman based in Punjab, with a notable track record in industrial development and sports administration. As the president of Hockey Punjab, he has also contributed to youth engagement and sporting infrastructure in the state.

His entry is significant not only for his non-political background, but also because of his network in business, sports, and civic bodies — sectors that AAP is increasingly attempting to integrate into its governance and electoral strategy.

From Delhi Model to Punjab Realignment

Ever since its historic win in Punjab, AAP has struggled to translate its “Delhi model” into Punjab’s diverse and often volatile political landscape. Kohli’s induction reflects a shift towards homegrown, high-credibility faces who can provide both local grounding and sectoral sophistication — something the party needs as it braces for 2027 and aims to strengthen its base beyond urban Delhi loyalists.

Jalandhar Central: A Political Hotbed

Jalandhar Central is not just another constituency. It holds strategic weight due to its urban demographics, mixed-class population, and its position as a commercial hub of Doaba — a region that has historically swung elections.

With Raman Arora’s arrest denting AAP’s image, especially among middle-class and business voters, Kohli’s appointment is aimed at image rehabilitation and restoring voter confidence in AAP’s vision for economic development and clean governance.