Chandigarh, Jan. 10 -- From a political novice to arguably the most influential and powerful minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab with several key portfolios under his charge, industrialist-turned-politician Sanjeev Arora's rise has been swift and striking.

Hardly known as a politics enthusiast before being picked to contest the Rajya Sabha polls from Punjab in April 2022, Arora, 61, was on Thursday handed the charge of another key portfolio, the local government department, in addition to the portfolios of industry, investment promotion and power.

Politically, Arora's elevation, who was inducted into the cabinet in July last year after he won the Ludhiana West bypoll held after the demise of MLA ...