The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora will contest the upcoming Ludhiana West bypoll, triggering speculation about party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s potential entry into Parliament.
The seat fell vacant following the tragic death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi last month. Arora, a businessman and Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab since 2022, must resign to contest the assembly election. This has fueled speculation that Kejriwal, who lost his Delhi Assembly membership after the recent elections, may be nominated for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat.
While AAP has denied any such move officially, party insiders suggest discussions are underway. If Arora wins the bypoll, he may also be considered for a ministerial role in Punjab as a reward for vacating his parliamentary seat.
With AAP losing power in Delhi, Punjab remains a stronghold for Kejriwal, who has been residing in Delhi at Punjab MP Ashok Mittal’s house since vacating his official residence.
The Ludhiana West bypoll is crucial for AAP as it seeks to consolidate its position in Punjab. The election outcome could also determine Kejriwal’s next political move.
