AAP Fields Sanjeev Arora for Rajya Sabha Bypoll Amid Buzz Over Kejriwal’s Entry

New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced Rajya Sabha MP Sanjiv Arora as its candidate for the upcoming Ludhiana West assembly bypoll. This move has sparked speculation about Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s possible entry into Parliament, marking a strategic shift in the party’s focus post its Delhi assembly elections defeat.

Sanjiv Arora, a prominent Ludhiana-based industrialist, has been serving as a Rajya Sabha MP since 2022. His selection as the party’s candidate for the bypoll is significant as it reflects AAP’s efforts to consolidate its position in Punjab, a state where it currently holds power. The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant last month following the demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, necessitating the bypoll.

While the Election Commission of India is yet to announce the bypoll date, Arora’s candidature indicates AAP’s intent to field experienced leaders to retain its legislative presence in the state. Given that Arora is already a Rajya Sabha MP, his potential election to the Punjab Assembly would create a vacancy in the Upper House of Parliament, fueling speculation about a possible entry for Arvind Kejriwal or another key AAP leader in his place.

AAP’s defeat in the recent Delhi assembly elections has led to an increased focus on Punjab, one of its strongholds outside the national capital. Arvind Kejriwal’s involvement in Punjab’s political affairs has intensified, with the party striving to reinforce its governance and electoral prospects ahead of the next general elections.

Political analysts suggest that Kejriwal’s greater focus on Punjab could be part of a broader strategy to position the state as a crucial base for AAP’s national expansion. The decision to field Arora, a well-connected industrialist, is likely aimed at strengthening the party’s business and administrative credentials in Punjab’s key industrial hub, Ludhiana.

The opposition parties, including the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are expected to field strong candidates to challenge AAP in the bypoll. The contest is likely to be closely watched, as the outcome will be seen as a barometer of AAP’s public support in Punjab following its governance record and ongoing political shifts.

abha has ignited debates, with BJP leaders reacting sharply to the development.