Arvind Kejriwal and Rajya Sabha Speculation
Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora has been given a ticket for the Ludhiana West assembly by-election. This has sparked speculation that Arvind Kejriwal might replace Arora in the Rajya Sabha. After his defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, Kejriwal does not currently hold any significant position. Atishi Singh has been appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly. Earlier, there were rumors that Kejriwal might become the Chief Minister of Punjab. However, now the BJP claims that Sanjeev Arora’s nomination for the by-election could pave the way for Kejriwal’s entry into the Rajya Sabha. The Aam Aadmi Party has responded to these speculations.
Sanjeev Arora, a Ludhiana-based industrialist, has been a Rajya Sabha member since 2022. The Ludhiana West seat became vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi last month. Arora has been given the ticket to contest from this constituency, although the by-election date is yet to be announced.
Will Arvind Kejriwal go to the Rajya Sabha?
BJP’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, has raised questions about Sanjeev Arora’s nomination. He speculated whether Arora was being sidelined to make way for Kejriwal in the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. He also questioned whether a candidate from Punjab should rightfully get the Rajya Sabha seat instead of Kejriwal.
BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also questioned the move, raising three key concerns:
- Why does Kejriwal want to go to the Rajya Sabha?
- Is he seeking an official residence in Delhi?
- After losing the elections, is he unable to stay away from power?
AAP’s Response
Responding to the speculation, AAP’s national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar stated that Sanjeev Arora has been actively working in Ludhiana and wants to contest elections from there. She criticized media reports for spreading rumors, saying, “Earlier, they were making Kejriwal the Chief Minister of Punjab; now they are sending him to the Rajya Sabha. Such claims should be verified first.”
