Rajinder Gupta: AAP's Potential Pick for Punjab's Rajya Sabha Bypoll

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appears poised to nominate industrialist Rajinder Gupta as its candidate in the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll for Punjab scheduled on October 24. This election comes on the heels of the resignation of AAP's Sanjeev Arora, who vacated his seat in the Upper House following his election to Punjab's state assembly.

Arora, whose Rajya Sabha term was set to conclude on April 9, 2028, is currently serving as a minister in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's administration. Rajinder Gupta, chairman emeritus of the Trident Group, stepped down from his roles as vice-chairman of the State Economic Policy and Planning Board and chairperson of the Kali Devi temple advisory committee, intensifying speculation about his potential candidature.

With an overwhelming majority in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, AAP's selection heavily influences the bypoll outcome. Earlier, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal dismissed rumors of entering the Rajya Sabha from Punjab, reaffirming AAP's intention to retain the Ludhiana West seat, which Arora secured against Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

(With inputs from agencies.)