The announcement of Sanjeev Arora, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Ludhiana West bypoll has triggered intense speculation about a possible Rajya Sabha entry for Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia.
Although AAP officially denies Kejriwal’s interest in a Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab, the early selection of Arora—even before the bypoll is officially scheduled—has fueled rumors. The bypoll was necessitated by the recent demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi Bassi, and political analysts believe it could be part of a larger strategy.
AAP’s Political Strategy: Bigger Role for Sanjeev Arora?
Party sources suggest that Sanjeev Arora has been promised a prominent role in the Punjab government if he wins the Ludhiana West bypoll. His move into state politics aligns with AAP’s goal of consolidating the Hindu voter base, following the party’s earlier decision to appoint Aman Arora as the Punjab state president.
The timing of this announcement has raised questions about Kejriwal’s future in national politics, especially after he lost his New Delhi Assembly seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma earlier this month.
Could Kejriwal or Sisodia Enter Rajya Sabha?
When asked whether Arvind Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia might take Arora’s Rajya Sabha seat, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan did not dismiss the possibility. He stated,
“Every party has the right to nominate members for Rajya Sabha. Even former PM Manmohan Singh was sent to the Upper House from another state. There is no illegality in this.”
Opposition parties, however, argue that AAP’s top leadership is strategizing a backdoor entry into Parliament.
AAP’s Current Rajya Sabha Strength and Internal Dynamics
AAP currently has seven Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab, including:
- Raghav Chadha
- Sandeep Pathak
- Harbhajan Singh
- Ashok Mittal
- Balbir Singh Seechewal
- Vikramjit Singh Sahney
- Sanjeev Arora (Contesting Bypoll)
Party insiders reveal that nearly all of them had offered to vacate their seats for Kejriwal, but he declined. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg clarified that Arora’s nomination was a strategic move to prepare the party cadre well in advance.
“The BJP’s rumour mills are working overtime to spread falsehoods about our leader. As of now, the bypoll has not even been officially announced. Arora was chosen due to his popularity in Ludhiana, and he has not yet resigned as MP,” Garg explained.
Opposition Slams AAP Over Rajya Sabha Speculation
Critics have strongly opposed the move, with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu taking to social media and questioning:
“Is Kejriwal plotting his own Rajya Sabha entry? Does he desperately want a government bungalow in Delhi?”
Similarly, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa alleged:
“This is all part of Kejriwal’s plan. If he enters Rajya Sabha, he will control Punjab as an ‘undercover CM.’”
SAD leader Bikram Majithia remarked:
“Arora will resign as MP, and Kejriwal or Sisodia will replace him in Rajya Sabha. Punjab is once again being made to surrender before Delhi.”
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for AAP?
While AAP denies any plans for Kejriwal’s Rajya Sabha entry, the strategic timing of Arora’s nomination for the Ludhiana West bypoll keeps the speculation alive. If Sanjeev Arora wins, his potential resignation from Rajya Sabha could pave the way for Kejriwal or Sisodia’s national-level entry.
With the 2025 Lok Sabha elections approaching, this move could be crucial for AAP’s expansion beyond Delhi and Punjab, making it a game-changing political development to watch.