Kejriwal's Ambitions for Punjab: Opposition Accusations

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Kejriwal's Ambitions for Punjab: Opposition Accusations

Synopsis

As speculation about AAP's Arvind Kejriwal entering Rajya Sabha swirls, Punjab's opposition parties accuse him of seeking control as an undercover CM. They claim his strategy involves manipulating elections and seat nominations to enhance his political power.

Key Takeaways

  • Kejriwal may seek Rajya Sabha nomination.
  • Opposition claims he wants to control Punjab.
  • Sanjeev Arora nominated for Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll.
  • Critics accuse AAP of exploiting Punjab for political gain.
  • Election Commission has not announced schedule yet.

Chandigarh, Feb 26 (NationPress) As speculation regarding Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal potentially entering the Rajya Sabha through nomination gained traction, the party declared on Wednesday that it would nominate its MP Sanjeev Arora in the upcoming Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll. This announcement prompted Opposition parties in Punjab to launch criticisms against AAP.

They asserted, “Kejriwal aims to dominate the state by acting as the undercover Chief Minister.”

“Once again, Punjab is being made to bow to Delhi,” they further remarked.

In response, AAP leaders refuted claims that Kejriwal was pursuing the Rajya Sabha path.

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira suggested that Kejriwal would take Arora's place in the Upper House.

“If Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora is put forth as AAP's candidate for the Ludhiana (West) bypoll, I am confident that Arvind Kejriwal will assume his Rajya Sabha membership!” Khaira commented on X.

Similarly, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa expressed that plans orchestrated by Kejriwal were already in motion.

“If Kejriwal secures a Rajya Sabha seat, he will regulate Punjab while disguising as the undercover Chief Minister. The public face will be Bhagwant Mann, but the actual control will lie with Kejriwal,” he stated.

He later posted on X, suggesting that people from Delhi “will engineer a scenario where Bhagwant Mann is removed under some pretext, allowing Arvind Kejriwal to assume the Chief Minister role.”

Also weighing in, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the power-hungry Kejriwal of pursuing a Rajya Sabha nomination, which he claimed forced the party to make its sitting MP Sanjiv Arora vacate a seat for him.

Majithia expressed that AAP's strategy was to utilize governmental influence to secure Arora's election to the Vidhan Sabha, thereby freeing up a Rajya Sabha seat.

“Kejriwal aims to gain dual advantages: a government bungalow in the national Capital and the perks associated with an MP,” he stated.

Majithia criticized the current Chief Minister, saying it was disgraceful to witness Bhagwant Mann completely submit to the AAP high command from Delhi over the past three years.

He remarked that Punjab's treasury was exploited to promote AAP's failed Kejriwal model nationwide, and now the party seeks a Rajya Sabha nomination from Punjab.

AAP spokesperson Neel Garg described the bye-election as a preparation stage for future elections, dismissing the opposition's claims as mere rumors about either party leader Kejriwal or Manish Sisodia replacing Arora in the Rajya Sabha.

“The BJP’s rumor mills are in full swing. Currently, the election for Ludhiana (West) hasn't even been declared. Arora was chosen as the party candidate due to his popularity in Ludhiana. He has yet to resign from his Rajya Sabha seat; he cannot contest the bye-election without doing so,” Garg informed the media.

In defense of the party’s decision, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Sandhwan emphasized that any party has the right to nominate candidates for the Rajya Sabha from any region.

“What is illegal about this? Even Manmohan Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha from a different state. The party will determine its nominees, and I will welcome whomever they choose,” Sandhwan stated.

The Ludhiana (West) seat became vacant following the passing of Gurpreet Gogi Bassi, 58, who died from a gunshot wound to the head last month.

The Election Commission of India has yet to reveal the election timeline for this position.

AAP’s legislator Gogi joined the party in 2022, defeating two-time MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu during the 2022 Assembly elections.

Responding to his nomination, candidate Arora shared on X, “I am humbled and grateful to the leadership of @AamAadmiParty for placing their trust in me to contest the Ludhiana West bye-elections. Being deeply connected to my hometown, I am eager to serve my people with commitment and sincerity.”

The seven Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, educator Ashok Mittal, environmentalist and spiritual leader Balbir Singh Seechewal, entrepreneur Vikramjit Singh Sahney, along with Sanjeev Arora.

Kejriwal faced defeat in the New Delhi constituency against BJP's Parvesh Verma in the recently concluded Assembly elections.