Arvind Kejriwal’s Possible Rajya Sabha Entry Sparks Debate

India(26 February, 2025): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced its Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjeev Arora, as the candidate for the Ludhiana West bypoll. Arora, an industrialist from Ludhiana, has been a Rajya Sabha member since 2022. This decision has sparked speculation that AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal might be planning to enter Parliament through Rajya Sabha.

Why This Bypoll Matters

The Ludhiana West seat became vacant following the unfortunate demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. While the Election Commission has yet to announce the bypoll date, the political buzz has already begun. Many believe that if Arora wins, he may vacate his Rajya Sabha seat, creating an opportunity for Kejriwal to enter the Upper House.

BJP’s Reaction to AAP’s Move

BJP leaders have raised several questions regarding Arora’s nomination. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya questioned whether this was a planned move to secure a Rajya Sabha seat for Kejriwal, who lost his own constituency in the Delhi elections. National spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also criticized AAP, suggesting that Kejriwal might be seeking government accommodation in Delhi or struggling to remain politically relevant after his defeat.

AAP’s Strategy After Delhi Election Loss

After facing a major setback in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where BJP’s Parvesh Verma defeated Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat, AAP has been focusing on Punjab. With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on the horizon, Kejriwal is expected to strengthen his party’s position in the state. Political analysts believe that securing a Rajya Sabha seat could be a strategic move to maintain his influence in national politics.

The Speculation Around a Ministerial Post

Amit Malviya further alleged that AAP might have assured Sanjeev Arora a ministerial position in exchange for vacating his Rajya Sabha seat later. He urged the people of Ludhiana to reject such "transactional politics" and not allow the seat to be used for Kejriwal’s political gains.

Congress Leader Adds to the Debate

Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also fueled the speculation, stating that Kejriwal’s entry into Rajya Sabha was certain. He claimed that Kejriwal had initially considered contesting from the Ludhiana West seat but stepped back due to fears of a political backlash in Punjab. He suggested that AAP’s decision to field Arora might be part of a larger plan to send Kejriwal to Parliament.

AAP Denies the Claims

AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar dismissed the speculation, stating that Kejriwal had no plans to enter the Rajya Sabha. She reminded people that similar rumors had earlier suggested Kejriwal would become Punjab’s Chief Minister, which also turned out to be false. She reaffirmed that Kejriwal, as AAP’s national convenor, was focused on the party’s growth and not restricted to any particular seat.

A Political Move or Just a Coincidence?

While AAP denies the claims, the political landscape in Punjab remains heated. Whether this is a strategic move for Kejriwal’s comeback or simply a routine election decision, only time will tell. Until then, the debate continues, with both supporters and critics closely watching the developments.