But does this speculation hold weight? Here’s a breakdown of the situation.
Why is there a bypoll in Ludhiana West?
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, who suffered a fatal gunshot injury last month when his licensed firearm accidentally discharged.
The Election Commission is yet to announce the polling date.
Why is Kejriwal’s name being linked to the Rajya Sabha seat?
If Arora wins the bypoll, he will vacate his Rajya Sabha seat, allowing AAP to nominate a replacement. The Opposition claims this is an opportunity for Kejriwal to enter Parliament through the Upper House, keeping himself politically relevant on the national stage.
Kejriwal, who lost his New Delhi constituency in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, might see a Rajya Sabha entry as a way to reinforce his national presence. Some also link this to his 2014 Lok Sabha contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, where he positioned himself as a challenger to the BJP at the national level.
Additionally, securing a Rajya Sabha seat would give Kejriwal a stronger say within the INDIA bloc, the opposition alliance led by the Congress, as decisions often involve senior parliamentary leaders.
What are Opposition leaders saying?
Several political leaders have amplified the speculation:
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira stated on X (formerly Twitter): “If Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora is nominated as AAP’s candidate for the Ludhiana West bypoll, I am sure Arvind Kejriwal will take his Rajya Sabha membership!”
I strongly condemn the back door entry of @ArvindKejriwal into Rajya Sabha from Punjab by striking a deal with Mp Sanjiv Arora promising him a cabinet berth if elected from Ludhiana-West by election !
This conspiracy clearly shows that @ArvindKejriwal cannot stay a day without… pic.twitter.com/YUmHq3F0H2
— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) February 26, 2025
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused Kejriwal of seeking “twin benefits”—a government bungalow in Delhi and the perks and power of an MP.
What is AAP’s response?
AAP has dismissed the speculation, with Punjab spokesperson Neel Garg stating:
“The bypoll date has not been announced yet, and the opposition has already started spreading rumours. Who will go to the Rajya Sabha will be decided after the bypoll results. The best candidate will be selected.”
AAP currently has seven Rajya Sabha members from Punjab:
Sandeep Pathak
Raghav Chadha
Harbhajan Singh (former cricketer)
Ashok Mittal
Balbir Singh Seechewal (environmentalist)
Vikramjit Singh Sahney (industrialist)
Sanjeev Arora (contesting the bypoll)
With 92 MLAs in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, AAP has the numbers to easily elect any candidate of its choice to the Rajya Sabha.
What happens next?
The Election Commission will announce the bypoll date for Ludhiana West. If Sanjeev Arora wins, his Rajya Sabha seat will become vacant, and AAP will nominate a new member.
Kejriwal’s next political move—whether he remains focused on party expansion or considers a parliamentary role—will be clearer in the coming months.
