NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has dismissed speculation that former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal may enter the Rajya Sabha following his party’s electoral setback in the national capital, party sources told TOI.
Earlier, media reports suggested that Kejriwal might move to the Upper House after AAP nominated its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora to contest the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll.
On speculations of Kejriwal moving to Rajya Sabha, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “Kejriwal is not going to Rajya Sabha. As far as Arvind Kejriwal is concerned, media sources were earlier saying that he will become the chief minister of Punjab.”
“Now, media sources are saying that he will contest from Rajya Sabha. Both these sources are absolutely wrong. Arvind Kejriwal is the national convenor of AAP. I agree that his demand is very high, but he is not limited to any one seat,” Priyanka added further.
Arora, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab in 2022 for a six-year term ending in 2028, would have to resign from Parliament to contest the state elections. If he steps down, his vacant Rajya Sabha seat could potentially be allocated to Kejriwal.
‘Seeking entry into Rajya Sabha’: Congress
Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday alleged that Kejriwal is seeking entry into the Rajya Sabha via Punjab.
“Kejriwal wants to enter power through Punjab, and some Rajya Sabha members will have to sacrifice and make way for him,” Bajwa claimed.
He further asserted that a divide is forming within AAP after its Delhi defeat, with several key leaders losing their seats. Bajwa also claimed to be in contact with multiple AAP MLAs who are considering switching parties.
Kejriwal lost the New Delhi assembly seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma, a former two-time MP, by a narrow margin of around 1,200 votes. Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit finished third.
Kejriwal had held the New Delhi seat since 2013