Arvind Kejriwal to Rajya Sabha? What he said after AAP's Ludhiana West bypoll win

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday won Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, with party candidate and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora winning by a margin of over 10,000 votes. The win further strengthens ruling AAP’s grip in Punjab, where the party registered a landslide victory in 2022.

Arora’s victory has triggered a high-stakes political question — will Arvind Kejriwal now make his debut in the Rajya Sabha? During the election campaign, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had promised that the people of Ludhiana West wouldn’t just be electing an MLA, but a future Cabinet minister. With Arora’s win, the stage is now set for his induction into the Punjab Cabinet. He will now have to vacate his Rajya Sabha seat.

BIG BREAKING – ARVIND KEJRIWAL FOR RAJYA SABHA??@ArvindKejriwal CLARIFIES

I am not Going to Rajya Sabha from Punjab

Political Affairs Committee will decide the name, pic.twitter.com/IKqAvW5Jw9

— AAP Ka Mehta 🇮🇳 (@DaaruBaazMehta)

Race for the Rajya Sabha

With Arora expected to resign from the Upper House, speculations are rife about who the party will nominate to fill the vacant seat. Sources within the party suggest that the AAP leadership had already planned this transition well in advance. According to reports, Arvind Kejriwal is the frontrunner for the Rajya Sabha berth.

While Kejriwal has denied reports of him being nominated for the Upper House. Speaking to reporters after the bypoll win he said,”I am not going to Rajya Sabha from Punjab.”

If Kejriwal doesn’t accept the offer, other major names in the fray include former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, currently entangled in legal battles, as well as former health minister Satyendar Jain and Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal.

A calculated move by AAP

Political analysts believe the decision to field Sanjeev Arora in the bypoll was a carefully crafted move by AAP. “The party clearly had a larger plan in mind. Arora’s shift to state politics creates an opportunity to project Kejriwal as a national legislator, especially ahead of key elections,” said a political commentator.

Arora was also assured full organisational support in the assembly election, and in return, promised a Cabinet berth in Punjab once he relinquishes his Rajya Sabha seat.